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ESCAPED FROM 

THE LAW 

n Comedy owma in fm Bets, 



{^(^ BY 



C WALCOTT RUSSELL 

Author of "Prisoner of Andersonvillc 



Copyright. 1904, by Dick & Fitzgerald 



t^ 



NEW YORK 

DICK & FITZGERALD, Pubushers 

18 Ann Street 




LioSaKY of CONiiR£SS 
Two Copies Racajvad 



,FEB I 1904 

'^CU.SS ^ XXc. No, 









a 



ESCAPED FROM THE LAW. 



^ 



[Note. — The acting rights of this play are expressly reserved 
by the author. Theatrical managers wishing to produce it 
should apply to the author, in care of the publishers. Amateur 
representation may be made without such application and with- 
out charge.] 



CHARACTERS 



General Robert Burleigh Owner of the works 

John Middleton Superintendent of the works 

Felix Beauplan A French scientist 

Daniel Druce A physician 

Michael Hatfield An English agitator 

Patrick Brannigan Head gardener 

Antonio Pittore A butler 

Nanette The General's wife 

Flora Dalroy His late partner's widow 

Kitty A maid 

Louise (five years old) The General's daughter 

Mrs.. Ryan..,. ,.. . . .„.„ » A neighbor 

POLiCEMAN ' ■ ■ ■ ' . J ! . *. '. 



.;■ ^TiM-S'C? REPbESENTAjiON;. — Two hours and a half. 



Time. — The present. 



Locality. — A suburb of New York. 



Escaped from the Law. 3 

SYNOPSIS 

Act I —Morning. Garden and residence of the Burleighs, sub- 
urb of New York. The Irishman and the Anarchist. The Doctor 
recognizes the woman from Martinique and denounces her. Ex- 
posure. . ^ , . , , 1 -ru 

Act II —Evening. Room in General Burleigh s house. i he 
Irishman, the Dago and the petticoat. A wife's confession. The 
child clings to mother. Flight. 

Act III.— Afternoon. An apartment in a New York tenement. 
The dying child. One of Nature's noblemen. The plot to burn 
the mill °"It's your silence or your life." Expiation. 

Act IV.— Home of General Burleigh. The dangerous widow 
and the bashful young superintendent. The house surrounded 
by rioters. The sending of the message and the cutting of the 
telegraph wires. Brannigan to the rescue. Sacrifice. 

Act v.— Same as Act IV. A wife's sacrifice. A husband s re- 
morse. Arrival of the relief party. The rioters dispersed. Death 
of the arch-plotter. Restored to home and love once more. Re- 
ward. 



COSTUMES 



General Burleigh. Act I.-Prince Albert coat, dark trousers. 
Act II -Evening dress. Act IV. and V.-Same as Act I. 
John Middleton. Business suit until last act, then dressed 

as a workman. . ^ j t,u^i. 

Felix Beauplan. Act I.-Prince Albert coat and black 

trousers. Act II.— Evening dress. 

Daniel Druce. Dark business suit. 

Michael Hatfield. Workman's shabby suit. 

Antonio Pittore. Butler's suit. 

Patrick Brannigan. Neat workman's suit. 

Nanette. Act I.— Pretty light walking costume. Act 11.— 
Superb evening dress. Act III. and IV.-Plain dark dress. 
Act v.— Pretty negligee. ^ ,, • . 

Flora Dalroy. Act I., III. and IV.-Swell carriage dress, 
gloves. Act V.— Neat visiting costume. 

Kitty. French maid costume. 

Mrs. Ryan. Neat Irishwoman's dress. Can be more or less 

comic, as preferred. » tt it ,^,,;r,« 

Louise. Act I.-Pretty walking dress. Act II.-Evemng 
dress. Act III.— Nightgown. 



4 Escaped from the Law. 

INCIDENTAL PROPERTIES 

Cigars in box for Beauplan. Pistol for Nanette Parcel 
con a.mng a wine bottle and money for Druce. Dispossess war- 



STAGE DIRECTIONS 



To a player facing the audience r. means right- l left- r 
centre; r. c, right of centre; l. c, left of centre; up,' to'ward back 
of stage; down, toward the footlights; f., flat or back scene - 
I; 23, etc., first, second, third grooves; e., entrance; rue' 
right upper entrance; l. u. e., left upper entrance; d. c. f, door 
m centre of flat. ' 



ESCAPED FROM THE LAW. 



^ 



ACT I. 

SCENE. — Garden and residence of the Burleighs. Rustic 
Bench, l. 2. Set house and steps, L. u. Rustic chairs at 
discretion. Middleton discovered on steps, Hatfield near 
him. 

Middleton. It will be no use your waiting. I am positive 
the General will not see you. 

Hatfield. That's not for you to say. He's no King, nor 
Duke, to be looked at a mile away. He's no better than I am ! 

Mid. That may be all true. You think you have a right to 
speak to him. He al.so has his right to refuse to see you ! 

Hat. Well, I'll hang around and run my chances (going). 
He's got to do as we say. We can't live on wind ! 

Mid. No, nor whiskey. 

Hat. Oh, you temperance people make me sick ! 

[EXIT, R. u. 

Mid. (comes down and looks after him). There's trouble 
brewing! A loafer and a vagabond, with just enough education 
to make him dangerous ! Ah, well ! 

[Turns, meets General Burleigh, who enters from the 
house. 

General. Good-morning, Middleton ! 

Mid. Good-morning, sir ! 

Gen. Anything important? 

Mid. Well, yes ! This morning you leave for Pittsburg, to 
be gone some days. Before you go I want to warn you that 
some of the men are dissatisfied ! 

Gen. Not going to strike, are they? (Laughs.) 

Mid. Perhaps not so bad as that, but 

Gen. Well ? 

Mid. Some men are never satisfied ! While others would be 
if let alone. 



6 Escaped from the Law. 

Gen. Why, I thought I had the most contented lot of men in 
America ! 

Mid. So did I. 

Gen. Our scale of wages is as high as any, and our men are 
never idle. 

Mid. Unless they desire to be ! 

Gen. We have a few unsteady ones. 

Mid. You .spoil them, sir, by taking them back after their 
sprees ! 

Gen. Most of them have families; and the scamps send their 
wives to plead for them. What can I do? 

Mid. Some of them don't appreciate your kindness! 

Gen. Why, only yesterday I put a man on again at your re- 
quest. You are just as bad yourself! 

Mid. His wife and children were on the verge of starvation ; 
the man himself is a good workman, but easily led away by 
others who do not want to work. I keep my eyes open, General, 
and I tell you that the man who works steadily and leaves whis- 
key alone will never cause any trouble. Then we have the for- 
eign element, full of all sorts of sky-rocket ideas. 

Gen. Well, I shall be back on Saturday. 

Mid. I don't apprehend any serious trouble, but if anything 
should happen, how shall I act? 

Gen. As you think best, my boy. I have the utmost confi- 
dence in the majority of the men, and in you. 

Mid. I don't like that Hatfield. 

Gen. a morose, quarrelsome fellow ! 

Mid. Drinks heavily and ill-treats his wife! 

Gen. So I have heard, but she never complains. There are 
better men in jail ! 

Mid. Where he would have been long ago but for his brother 
Dan. 

Gen. How is that? 

Mid. In some way, Dan managed to be elected Alderman of 
his ward, and his pull has saved Michael from the grasp of the 
law more than once ! 

Gen. Disgraceful ! How can such things be allowed ! 

Mid. They happen every day, and these are the very men who 
sow the seed of dissension where the workingman seems the 
most contented ! 

Gen. Such action is criminal ! 

Mid. This is a free country. 

Gen. It can't long remain so if such scamps are allowed to 
do as they please ! 

Mid. I wish we were rid of him ! 



Escaped from the Law. 7 

ENTER Michael Hatfield, r. u. 

Gen. Where is this Michael Hatfield now ? 

Hatfield. Right here ! That's me, Michael Hatfield ! 

Mid. I told you to wait until I ascertained if General Bur- 
leigh would see you ! 

Hat. He's got to see me ! 

Mid. You had oetter be civil ! 

Hat. I don't have to be ; we've got the power and we're 
going to use it ! 

Gen. (close to him). You may have the power, my man, and 
you may be foolish enough to use it ; but these are my premises, 
and while you are here you niust be civil. (Looks him squarely 
in the eye.) 

Hat. Who do you think you are, anyway? 

Gen. You know who I am, you know me well enough. I 
am the owner of those works yonder. For nearly twenty years 
I have given employment to five hundred people, whether times 
were good or bad. I have paid them fair wages ; those who have 
been careful own the houses they live in. Many have grown 
gray in my service. I have never heard a murmur of discontent 
from any one of them. 

Hat, Well, I have! 

Gen. Let those who have grievances come to me. 

Hat. They sent me to you. 

Gen. You are not in my employ, and I refuse to recognize 
you. From their own lips I will learn the trouble, and rectify 
it, if it be in my power. 

Hat. Settle with me and you settle with all. 

Gen. I cannot recognize your authority ! 

Hat. I see ! You think because you have plenty of money 
you can bully me ! 

Gen. I have no desire to bully you. 

Hat. You bet you won't ! You don't know me ! 

Gen. Yes, I know you very well ! I know you to be an idle, 
shiftless scamp. I know that you take your wife's earnings to 
buy liquor ; and I know that you beat her when she refuses you 
the money she earns by the sweat of her brow. (Hatfield 
makes as if to strike the General, wJio looks squarely at him.) 
I am not afraid of you, my man ! A bully is always a coward. 
(To Middleton.) I shall not go to Pittsburg to-day. I will 
see the men, and if they have been wronged in any way the 
wrong shall be righted at once. (Up steps.) Michael Hat- 
field, you are playing with a double-edged tool. Take my advice, 
learn how to handle before you attempt to use it ! 

[EXIT into house. 



8 Escaped from the Law. 

I 

Hat. (up to steps, sliakes Ust at General). Learn how to 
handle it, eh ! No, I'll use it so that there won't be many left 
of you and your kind ! 

Mid. Then where will you be, and the rest? No capital, no 
labor ; no labor, no capital. Either way you put it, the one de- 
pends upon the other ! 

Hat. Bah! Where would he be without us? Look at that 
house ! It's worth fifty thousand dollars if it's worth a dollar ! 
Look at his carriages and horses ! The servants he keeps. He 
has a million in the bank if he has a cent. 

Mid. He invested that much in his business at the start ! 
He has given hundreds of people employment for twenty years. 
He has spent over three million dollars in improvements, not gin- 
mills and gambling houses, but libraries, a public park, and 
neat, clean homes for those who wanted them. Come with 
me, Michael. {Goes up, points off r.) Look at those 
charming white cottages, nearly three hundred of them ! To 
whom do they belong? With few exceptions, they are owned 
by the employees of the big factory yonder. Not so very long 
ago you lived in one of those yourself, and could have owned 
it had you wished, for you are a clever workman. You haven't 
behaved very well, Michael, but there's a chance for you yet ! 
Leave drink alone, and go to work like a man ! I'll give you 
all the help I can, and so will General Burleigh, I promise you ! 

[EXIT, R. 3. 

Hat. (pause). Rats! You are in with them, too! You've 
got a nice fat job, and it pays you to be in with them ! I'll lay 
you out, too, when the time comes, or my name ain't Michael 
Hatfield. (ENTER Patrick, r. u. Goes behind Michael.) 
I'll do it if I swing for it! (Bumps into Patrick.) 

Patrick. A swing, is it? How would a merry-go-round suit 
you? (Tivists him around.) 

Hat. Who the devil are you? (Scowls.) 

Pat. (sings). My name is Patrick Brannigan. 

Hat. Well, Mr. Patrick Brannigan, it will pay you to mind 
your own business. , 

Pat. That's what I am doing ! I am the new gardener 
here, and I want you to keep off the grass I 

Hat. You make me sick ! 

Pat. It's a way I have ! 

Hat. It's a way that will get you into trouble! 

Pat. And out of it ! 

Hat. So you're the new gardener, eh? 

Pat. Yes, and I see there's work for me to do right now. 

Hat. What do you mean? 



Escaped ffom the Law, 9 

Pat. I mean that there's a weed growing right forninst me 
that needs pulling up ! 

Hat. Maybe it's rooted too deep ! 

Pat. I'd pull it up if the roots came out the other side of the 
world. It's a way I have. 

Hat. You might upset the world ! 

Pat. It needs a shaking up every once in a while. 

Hat. (going). I wish you joy of your job. (Crosses r.) 

Pat. I'd rather have your curse than your blessing ! 

Hat. You may get that yet, if you remain in this house and 
work for that man. 

Pat. Why shouldn't I work for him? He deals squarely by 
those who deal squarely by him. What more do you want? 

Hat. He's a tyrant, like all millionaires! 

Pat. And you're a liar, like all bums ! 

Hat. I've half a mind to (As if to strike.) 

Pat. Half a mind, that's all ye have ! 

Hat. Oh, pshaw! What's the use? 

Pat. No use at all. 

Hat. I'll talk to you some other time ! 

Pat. That's what all the great fighters do — talk. It's a way 
they have ! 

Hat. Bah! [EXIT, r. u. 

Pat. Baa-hoo! (Turns l.) Well, there's the house, and 
there's the man! I have found a job, and nearly had a fight. 
Did ever such luck come to any one man in one day? I was 
ordered to report at once, and I will! (Rings bell hard.) Be- 
dad, that'll fetch 'em. 

ENTER Kitty from the house, looks at him. 

Kitty. Did you ring? 

Pat (aside.) Did I ring? (Aside.) Look at them lips, 
my mouth's watering already ! 

Kit. Did you ring, sir? 

Pat. Is it the bell, ye mean? Yes, I just gave it a bit of a 
pull! 

Kit. Yes, I heard it. 

Pat. Did ye, now? It's good ears ye have! 

Kit. Well, sir, I am here! 

Pat. Well, stay there ! I mean, I wish ye'd stay there 
awhile, so I might look at ye ! (Aside.) Ain't she sweet ! Did 
ever such luck come to any one man in one day? 

Kit. Monsieur^ I can't stay here forever. What is it you 
wish? 



JO Escaped from the Law. 

Pat. Well, a kiss would go pretty well as a beginning. 

Kit. Monsieur must be joking! 

Pat. The divil a joke! Ye asked me what I wanted and I 
told ye I It's a way I have ! 

Kit. If you don't behave yourself, monsieur, I will call An- 
tonio ! 

Pat. Call your Aunt Onio ! Well, if she is as good-looking 
as yerself, trot her out ! 

Kit. Antonio js the butler, and he's very strong. 

Pat. The butter is very strong? I am sorry for that, as I 
am going to live here awhile. 

Kit. I said the butler, monsieur. And he will chastise you 
for your rudeness. 

Pat. (Laughs.) 

Kit. What amuses you, monsieur? 

Pat. You're so funny! {Laughs.) 

Kit. (stamps). 1 see nothing very funny in a good beating! 

Pat. Beating, is it? Listen and I'll tell ye a secret! (Whis- 
pers in her ear loudly.) There's no ten macaroni-eaters enjoy- 
ing the best of health could whip one Irishman, even if he was 
sea-sick ! 

Kit. The conceit of the man ! 

Pat. It's a way I have. Now, bring on your rope and 
twine O, and I'll make a bowknot of the two Dago legs of 
him ! 

Kit. Well, he's better-looking than you, anyway. His 
imperial is simply magnificent ! 

Pat. His what? 

Kit. His imperial ! 

Pat. Oh, yes ! Ye mane the goat whiskers ! But there, I'll 
spare his life on one condition. 

Kit. Pooh ! 

Pat. Just one kiss and he's safe ! 

Kit. Monsieur, I am not a coquette ! 

Pat. But you're a woman. (^7;^ stamps her foot and turns 
to go.) There, don't run away. I know we're not very well 
acquainted as yet, so I'll give ye a chance some other time! Now 
I'll introduce myself. 

Kit. Oh, I know you well enough already! 

Pat. I improve on acquaintance ! 

Kit. Perhaps. (Shrugs sliouldcrs.) 

Pat. a month from now and ye won't want me out of your 
sight ! 

Kit. The idea ! 

Pat. Good idea ! Book it ! Well, I'll not keep you in sus- 



Escaped from the Law. tl 

pense any longer, for I know you're just dying to find out who 
I am ! 

Kit. Nothing under a fireman or a major-domo has any in- 
terest for me. 

Pat. a fireman or a major dummy. Well, I am no dummy, 
but I'm full of fire. Now, couldn't you be content with the man 
who plays the hose on the crow-cusses and the daffy-down- 
dillys? 

Kit. a gardener — only a gardener! (Shrugs shoulders.) 

Pat. Only a gardener! Well, I'm young yet! But I'm an 
Irishman, with the blood of the Brannigans flowing through me 
aqueducts, and that's equal to saying I might yet die the Boss of 
Tammany Hall. 

Kit. (laughs). Well, I cannot be angry with you, you are so 
very droll ! 

Pat. It comes natural, like the measles. 

Kit. Well, who are you? 

Pat. My name is Patrick Brannigan ! I am the new gardener, 
and I was ordered to report for duty to-day I 

Kit. Why didn't you say so before? 

Pat. Ye didn't give me the chance ! Ye talked that quick ! 

Kit. Well, the General is in the library. Follow me and I'll 
show you the way. (Turns to go.) 

Pat. Lead on ! I'll follow ye, even if ye takes me into the di- 
vorce court. (Kitty laughs, and exit into house.) Did ever 
such luck come to any one man in one day? 

[EXIT into house. 

ENTER Nanette, r. u., as though strolling. Few bars soft, 
"In Old Madrid." 

Nanette. What a beautiful home is mine, and how happy I 
am! I will cease thinking of the past! Why should I think of 
it, why look on the stony roadway I have left behind, when the 
path on which I now tread is bright with flowers? After long 
illness, convalescence is very sweet. (Sits on bench, l. ) 

ENTER General from the house. 

Gen. Ah, Nanette, you are out early to-day ! 

Nan. And why not, sir? I am scarcely an old woman yet, 
though not quite so childish as your late partner's widow, Mrs. 
Dalroy. 

Gen. Flora is quite attractive, is she not? 

Nan. Robert, you will not think me foolish, but do you know, 
I am just a little jealous of this attractive little widow! 



i2 Escaped from the Law. 

Gen. Nonsense! Nonsense! Jealous of Flora Dalroy ! Why, 
I look upon her as a daughter. {Laughs.) 

Nan. Don't laugh, Robert. I know it is not in your nature 
to love as do we, the children of a warmer clime, but you seem 
so cold, so undemonstrative, while I — why, you seem to be a part 
of my very life, Robert ! 

Gen. The idea of an old married lady like yourself talking 
such nonsense ! 

Nan. Are my eyes less bright, has all my beauty departed, 
you cruel man, that you give me so little of your society? 

Gen. My dear, I have been very busy lately. Certain details 
closely connected with my late partner's investments required 
serious attention, and since her return from Europe Flora has 
given much of her time to business. She is a clever girl, I as- 
sure you ! 

Nan. Take care she does not too readily learn the verb "to 
love." (General shakes his head.) Ah! do not shake your 
head, sir. You military men are very careless, and some ladies 
are very susceptible! But let us drop the subject. Do you 
remember what day this is? 

Gen. Certainly. Tuesday, is it not? 

Nan. Oh. Robert, is that all? 

Gen. What else can it be? (Sits.) 

Nan. This is the anniversary of our wedding day, and I have 
invited ail the village people to the lawn and orchard for wine, 
cake and music. 

Gen. Beer and noise ! You should have given me warning, 
Nanette. 

Nan. Why, you have often told me to act for myself in such 
matters, and now you are vexed. Let me kiss those frowns 
away. (Attempts to kiss him.) 

Gen. (looks around). Another time! You might be seen, 
and you know how I hate publicity ! (Rises and moves toward 
door.) 

Nan. Robert? 

Gen. Well ! 

Nan. Pardon me, nothing. I will not detain you! (EXIT 
General into house.) The anniversary of our wedding, and he 
passes it by unheeded. He seems nervous, unsettled. Is it 
possible he can have learned to love her? No, no! Of what 
am I thinking ! He could not be so base ! I must banish such 
thoughts, ere I live once more in the old days, the mcinory of 
which is burned into my brain with letters of fire. 

[EXIT into house. 



Escaped from the Law. J 3 

ENTER Flora, follozvcd by Middleton, r. 2. 

Flora {laughing, turns and boivs). Thank you, thank you 
so much, Mr. Middleton. I shall never forget your heroic deed- 
never. But there, I ought not to detain you a moment longer. 
This is one of your busy days, I know ! (Sits l.) 

Mid. If you could only let me know when you are likely to 
return. I think I could manage to 

Flo. Escort me past that terrible animal ! No ; you are very 
good, but I will not trespass on your time. Besides, my carriage 
will call for me ! But tell me, Mr. Middleton, why should a 
common, every-day goat inspire me with such dread? 

Mid. But this one is not a common, every-day goat ! He is 
a most noted warrior, victor in a hundred fights, and the terror 
of every woman and child for miles around ! 

Flo. Well, you didn't seem the least bit afraid of him, and 
if there is anything in this world I do admire it is bravery 1 

Mid. Oh, there was very little bravery in what I did ! 

Flo. Oh, yes, there was ! Why, do you know, as we passed 
his Lordship he glared at us so ferociously that I could almost 
feel myself being thrown into the air to a fearful height. I 
trembled like a leaf, while you were as cool as the proverbial 
cucumber. I do not believe you are afraid of anything. 

Mid. Oh, yes, I am ! 

Flo. You afraid? Of what? Tell me, do tell me! (Looks 
up at him coqucttishly.) 

Mid. You wouldn't care to know. 

Flo. You are mistaken, sir. (Rises.) In me behold the most 
frightfully inquisitive woman of the twentieth century ! 

Mid. Horrible ! 

Flo. Horrible, but true ! Now, then, tell me of what are you 
most afraid ? 

Mid. The prettiest woman I know ! 

Flo. How nice ! (Sits.) 

Mid. Nice, perhaps, but dangerous ! 

Flo. Dangerous! Why? 

Mid. Because, when I am near her I am almost afraid she 
can hear the tumultuous beating of my heart! 

Flo. (aside). Tumultuous is good ! 

Mid. I tremble lest she should guess my secret and laugh at 
my presumption. 

Flo. Why, is she such a frightful flirt? 

Mid. How can she help it, surrounded as she is by admirers 
from morning till night ! 

Flo. Is she rich? 



J4 Escaped from the Law* 

Mid. Painfully ! 

Flo. (latiglis). Sensible? 

Mid. Bright as a dollar fresh from the mint ! 

Flo. (aside). Isn't he sweet! (To Middleton.) Then de- 
pend upon it, she realizes that her money is the powerful mag- 
net, and so steels her heart against all comers. 

Mid. Report says no ! 

Flo. Indeed! So there is a favorite? 

Mid. Rich, young and handsome ! 

Flo. a magnificent combination ! Anything else? 

Mid. What more can she ask? 

Flo. Truth ! honor ! courage ! What if she despises an idler 
and admires the man who is bold, clever and ambitious? 

Mid. Even though he be poor? (Flora is trying to button 
her glove.) 

Flo. (sighs). Poor! A woman is very foolish to marry a 
poor m.an ! 

Mid. Only a lunatic would do such a thing ! 

Flo. Unless 

Mid. Unless 

Flo. Unless she were rich! 

Mid. And then 

Flo. And then 

Mid. And then, no man of honor would think of asking her ! 
(Raises hat and turns to go.) 

Flo. Mr. Middleton! (He turns.) Would you be so good 
as to button my glove? 

Mid. Certainly! (Tries to button it, then kneels, presses hard 
and pinches her wrist. She cries out.) 

Flo. Oh ! How awkward you are, Mr. Middleton ! You 
hurt me terribly ! 

Mid. I am very sorry, I assure you ! Can I do anything to 
help you? 

Flo. Nothing! Ah! (sighs) if one were only a child again! 

Mid. What then? 

Flo. Mr. Middleton, were you ever a child? 

Mid. I believe so. 

Flo. Why, of course you were! (Aside.) He's nothing but 
a big baby now. (To him.) Well, sir, when you were a child 
and got hurt what did your mother do? 

Mid. (laughs). I won't be positive, but it seems to me she 
generally whipped me for getting hurt ! 

Flo. I don't believe a word of it ! No, sir ! She kissed the 
spot to make it well. 

Mid. (still holding her hand). Yes, that's just what she did. 



Escaped from the Law. J 5 

Flo. Now you can understand why I sighed to be a child 
again ! 

Mid. Quit your sighing, then. (Kisses her zvrist.) 

Flo. (snatelics her hand aivay). Mr. Middleton, you are not 
my mother ! 

Mid. I wish I was ! That is, I wish you were my mother ! 
(Rises.) No, hang it! I don't mean that, either. Excuse me, 
I must go ! ( Turns r. ) 

Flo. Mr. Middleton! 

Mid. Mrs. Dalroy! 

Flo. Do you think (pause) — do you think 

Mid. Sometimes. 

Flo. Why, certainly ! Of course, you do ! Let me see, what 
was I going to say? Oh, yes, I remember now! If you should 
see my coachman on your way to the works, kindly tell him I 
shall not need the carriage ! 

Mid. Certainly ! ( Turns to go. ) 

Flo. As I may walk home by the upper road! 

Mid. Very well! (Turns to go.) 

Flo. By the upper road, about ten o'clock! 

Mid. I won't forget ! 

[EXIT, R. u. 

Flo. Now I suppose that man will be bold enough to think 
I meant that as an invitation to see me home ! Some men are 
so terribly impulsive they simply jump at conclusions! (Pause; 
looks after Middleton.) I wonder if he has sense enough to 
jump! (Turns to go into the house, meets Nanette, ivho enters 
from house.) 

Nan. Why, Flora, you are early ! 

Flo. I had nothing else to do ; and really, I seem like one pos- 
sessed ! I can't keep still a minute ! 

Nan. I think I can tell you what is the matter. (Sits L.) 

Flo. Please do! (Sits near her.) There is my hand, now 
tell my fortune ! 

Nan. (does not take Iter hand). You are in love! 

Flo. And I didn't know it. How funny ! 

Nan. Mr. Middleton came with you, did he not? 

Flo. Yes; he has just gone. 

Nan. He is a splendid fellow ! 

Flo. Is he not? 

Nan. Well educated, talented, good-looking! 

Flo. But poor as a rat ! 

Nan. Why need you look for wealth? 

Flo. My dear, do you mean to insinuate that I am in love 
with Mr. Middleton? 



t6 Escaped from the Law. 

Nan. No ; but I know that he worships you ! 

Flo. Your husband's superintendent ! Do you want to make 
me the laughing stock of the civiHzed world? 

Nan. That should not weigh in the balance if 

Flo. If 

Nan. If you love him ! 

Flo. You take it for granted that I do ! 

Nan. I wish it were so, but I fear it is not! 

Flo. Why fear? 

Nan. I fear that your heart has gone out to one who cannot, 
must not, return your affection. 

Flo. Really, Nanette, you are both enigmatical and unkind. 
What do you mean? 

Nan. Read your own heart and find the answer. 

Flo. My dear Nanette, if you will be so good as to explain ! 

Nan. Your innocence would be refreshing if it did not so 
nearly affect my own happiness. Mr. Middleton loves you, you 
encourage his attentions. One word from you and he would 
ask you to become his wife ! 

Flo. You forget, Nanette, Mr. Dalroy has been dead less than 
two years. Besides, I don't wish to marry again, at least just 
yet! 

Nan. I know it, because under present circumstances you can- 
not marry the man you prefer. 

Flo. Nanette ! What do you mean ? 

Nan. What if I were to die, would you profit by my death 
or not? For a long time past I have watched your every move- 
ment; each fawning, tender glance of your innocent (?) eyes; 
nothing has escaped me ! Think you I believe in your well- 
assumed innocence? Young as you are, your powers of dis- 
simulation are superb and deceive all but myself! I know your 
secret. You do not wish to marry because you love — my hus- 
band ! 

Flo. (angrily). Your accusation is false! You know it is 
false! I respect and admire General Burleigh as any woman 
may esteem a good man. To me he is more than a father, in 
that he has done for me a father's duty without a father's obliga- 
tion. After what has passed between us, friendship is impos- 
sible. So ungenerous a suspicion is unworthy the wife of such 
a man as General Burleigh. (Crosses R. ) 

Nan. You act your part well. Your rehearsals have been 
frequent and full, no doubt. I tell you again, you do not deceive 
me. You love him ! But beware how you come between us ! 
Trample on my right to his love as a wife, win but one glance 



Escaped from the Law. t7 

of unholy aflFection from him, and I will sweep you from my 
path as the wind sweeps yonder leaf! (c. ) 

Flo. That you are capable of so doing I have not the slight- 
est doubt. Depend upon it, I shall soon remove any cause, just 
or unjust, for such an action on your part by leaving you in 
the undisputed possession of your husband's devotion ! Madame, 
I bid you good-morning. [EXIT, r. 2. 

Nan. What have I done? I must have been mad! He will 
hear of it and despise me. I will speak to her. Flora ! No, 
I will not humble myself. She would not understand ! I will 
control my feelings. Perhaps I wrong him! I have judged 
him by my own illimitable love, the undying devotion that finds 
its place in woman's heart alone and makes her life a blessing 
or a curse. (Sits l.) 

ENTER Louise from house; runs r. 

Louise. Flora ! Flora. {She is eating bread, and her face 
is daubed with jam.) 
Nan. Louise ! 
Louise. Mamma ! 
Nan. Come here, my darling ! 
Louise. I did not see you, mamma. (Crosses L.) 

ENTER Kitty front house. 

Kit. Ah, there you are, you naughty girl ! I have been search- 
ing for you everywhere ! Madame, a strange old gentleman has 
just arrived. He seems quite friendly with the General, whom 
he has not seen for several years ! 

Nan. What name? 

Kit. I did not quite catch the name, though he is Doctor 
something or other. (Turns to go.) They are coming this 
way. 

Nan. You may go. 

Kit. Come, Louise. 

[EXIT Kitty and Louise, l. 2. 

Nan. There is no help for it, I must meet them now ! Why 
do I tremble? What means this strange presentiment of com- 
ing evil? (Soft music.) 

ENTER General and Beauplan from house. 

General (points right). Very fine, indeed. The view, how- 



iS Escaped from the Law. 

ever, just beyond that eminence is grander still! (Sees Nan- 
ette.) Ah, Beauplan, allow me! Nanette, Monsieur Beauplan ! 
Beauplan, my wife ! (Both bow. Nanette starts as she hears 
the name; as she looks at him he starts slightly.) 

Beau. Your wife? You said your wife? 

Gen. Certainly, my wife ! Why, what on earth do you mean, 
Beauplan ? 

Beau. Pardon me, my dear General, my eyes are not what 
they used to be. I fancied I detected a striking resemblance to 
a lady named — er — the name escapes me for the moment, whose 
fate lies enshrouded in mystery. 

Gen. My wife's name was L'Estrange 

Beau. Ah ! Hers was Dumaire ! 

Gen. Beauplan, oblige us by relating this little mystery. 
(Sits R.) 

Beau. Certainly ! It is not, however, a pleasant story, and 
madame might find it tedious ! 

Nan. No, no ! Monsieur, pray proceed ! (Sits l.) 

Beau. (bows). Some ten years ago my researches into the 
medicinal properties of tropical plants led me to Martinique, one 
of the French West India Islands. After a residence of some 
months I was on the eve of return, my passage taken in the next 
homeward-bound vessel, when my services as an expert m poi- 
sons were called into requisition. A wealthy gentleman had 
died under circumstances deemed strange by his attending phy- 
sician. A critical analysis proved to me that his suspicions were 
not unfounded. M. Dumaire had been poisoned! (Nanette, 
somewhat perturbed, finds Beauplan's eyes fixed upon her and 
instantly recovers.) Madame, you are ill ! Shall I cease? 

Nan. No, no ! Pray go on, monsieur. A very terrible, but 
a most interesting case. 

Beau. A judicial inquiry led to the arrest of his wife, but by 
a flaw in the evidence, some said by bribery, for she was im- 
mensely rich, madame was acquitted. She disappeared. She 
may be dead. Be that as it may, from that day to this she has 
never been seen. 

Nan. You speak as though you believe her guilty, M. Beau- 
plan ! Should you not give her the benefit of the doubt, when 
a court of law was undecided? 

Beau. At the time I did ! Her youth and beauty won me, 
perhaps. Since then, however, fresh evidence has transpired 
which precludes all possibility of doubt regarding her guilt! 

Nan. And this evidence, monsieur, from whom was it pro- 
cured? 

Beau. From a man who left the island only two weeks pre- 



Escaped from the Law. J 9 

vious to the death of M. Dumaire, and who did not return until 
some months after that tragic event! He was a chemist's assist- 
ant, by name Michael Hatfield. 

Nan. Michael Hatfield! 

Gen. He used to be in my employ ! 

Beau. And whom, by a strange coincidence, I met here this 
very day ! 

Nan. Here ! To-day ! Why — you — he ! Yes, yes, as you 
say, a strange coincidence. General Burleigh, Robert ! Do you 
not see that I am faint, that Monsieur Beauplan's strange story 
has unnerved me ! A glass of water ! 

Gen. No, wine ! In a moment ! (To Beauplan.) My friend, 
you have missed your true vocation. Your story was most 
dramatic ! 

Beau. And you never heard it before? 

Gen. Never, I assure you! [EXIT into house. 

Beau. And you, madame ? 

Nan. Why, no. Monsieur Beauplan ! How should I? 

Beau. And this Michael Hatfield? His name is also unknown 
to you ? 

Nan. (angrily). Monsieur, why this strange insistence? Be 
good enough to leave me ! Your remarks are impertinent ! 

Beau. Have a care, Madame Burleigh ! Your life is in my 
hands. Within twenty paces of this spot there stands the man 
whose very name you say is unknown to you. Shall I call him? 

Nan. Monsieur Beauplan, let me pass ! 

Beau. Do not defy me. I know you to be Madame Dumaire ! 
Consent to leave this man you have so basely deceived and I 
will keep your secret ! Refuse, and I must denounce you ! 

Nan. Monsieur, I tell you, you are mistaken ! 

Beau. And I tell you I am not mistaken ! You are Madame 
Dumaire, and I insist upon your leaving this place. 

Nan. Stand aside, monsieur, or I will call my husband ! 

Beau. One moment, and you shall! (Calls R.) Hatfield! 
Hatfield ! Come here a moment ! 

ENTER Hatfield, r. 3. Beauplan, c. Nanette, l. 

Beau. I want to ask you a few questions ! Some years ago 
you were employed by a chemist named Duplin, in the Island of 
Martinique, were you not? 

Hat. You know I was, so what's the use of asking? 

Beau. Do you remember the Dumaire murder case? 

Hat. Well, I ought to! 

Beau. You supplied the information as to a certain poison 



20 Escaped from the Law. 

purchased from you by Madame Dumaire a short time before the 
— murder, did you not? 

Hat. What's the matter? Are you going to try the case all 
over again? 

Beau. Never mind that ; the man was poisoned, and by his 
wife. 

Hat. Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't. Anyway, he deserved 
it. He treated her like a dog. 

Beau. Would you recognize the lady if you met her? 

Hat. I never forget a face ! 

Beau. Look well, then. Have you ever seen this lady be- 
fore? Remember it is years since you last saw her. Do you 
not recognize the woman who was accused of her husband's 
murder? 

Hat. (crosses, pauses, looks hard at her). No! I never saw 
this lady before in all my life ! 

General appears on steps, glass of wine in hand. 

Beauplan, r. Nanette, c. 

CURTAIN. 



ACT n. 



SCENE. — A smoking-room. Heavy curtains d. l., or curtains R. 
Kitty peeps through curtains, sniffs two or three times. 

Kitty. Phew! It's enough to make one sick! Tobacco! 
Nothing but tobacco ! pipes ! cigars ! cigarettes ! Ah, these men ! 
They say the ladies are so extravagant. There is my cousin, the 
rich baker. He tells his wife ten times a day that she will make 
him a beggar ! This bonnet ten dollars, that dress twenty-five. 
The mean little miser, he forgets that such things last weeks 
and sometimes months ! There he stands, looking as cross as 
a bear, a cigar sticking in his mouth, always a cigar in his mouth 
except when he eats. (Takes a cigar from box, puts if in her 
mouth.) Puff! puff! There goes ten cents ! Puff! puff! There's 
another ten cents, and so on all day long! Puff! Gone! Where? 
Ugh ! the miserable, selfish brute ! 



Escaped from the Law. 2 J 

ENTER Antonio, d. l. f., and stands looking at her. She throws 
the cigar and strikes him in the face, though without seeing 
him. 

Antonio. Ouch ! 

Kit. What do you want here? 

Anto. (rolling eyes). You — you, mamselle ! 

Kit. I came here to get rid of you all 1 Can't you leave me 
alone a minute? 

Anto. (rolling eyes). Mamselle, when you are alone, / too 
am alone ! 

Kit. (shivers). Don't do that. 

Anto. What, mamselle? 

Kit. Don't roll your eyes like that. You make me think 
you are going to die. 

Anto. Mamselle, I am dying (pause) for love of you. (Busi- 
ness with eyes.) 

Kit. Don't! (Shivers.) Please don't twist your eyes so. 
Some day they will stay that way. 

Anto. Magnificent creature, will you not be mine. (Kneels.) 
See ! at your feet I cast the treasure of my love. (Business zvith 
eyes. ) 

ENTER Patrick, d. r. 

Pat. I thought so. (Puts Kitty out of way and stands 
in front of Antonio.) 

Anto. Ah, mamselle ! you have entwined my heart in the 
meshes of your golden hair. 

[Patrick points to his own hair, deep red. 

Pat. (aside to Kitty). Don't mind him; he's color blind. 

Anto. (takes Patrick's hand). Forever could I imprint kisses 
upon this dainty little hand. (Kisses Patrick's liand.) 

Pat. (aside to Kitty). Will I hit him over the left ear with 
this other dainty little hand? 

Anto. Be mine. Upon you I have bestowed the untold wealth 
of this, my first, my virgin love. 

Pat. An' him (aside to Kitty) kissing the cook only ten 
minutes ago ! 

Anto. Speak, mamselle ! Tell me / have not loved in vain ! 
Speak but a word ! I listen ! 

Pat. Well, shut your mouth and open your eyes, an' I'll show 
you something will make you wise. (Antonio springs to his 
feet.) 

Anto. Monsieur, you? 



22 Escaped from the Law. 

Pat. That same an' no other. Would you like a lock of this 
golden hair? 

Anto. Bah ! 

Pat. Would you like to kiss this other lily-white hand? 

Anto. Bah ! 

Pat. (as Antonio starts to go). You and your virgin love, 
go downstairs and kiss the co-hook. 

Anto. (d. l. ). Bah! 

[Patrick makes for him, and he EXITS quick, d. l. 

Kit. Monsieur, you have made a dangerous enemy. He will 
kill you. 

Pat. What, that? That toothpick kill me! 

Kit. He is an expert with the sword. 

Pat. And I'm the divil with the shillclah. 

Kit. You are very cruel to him. Poor Antonio, he loves me 
t;o much ! 

Pat. I'll have no rivals ! 

Kit. Rivals ? 

Pat. Shure ! I'm sweet on ye myself, ye're that cute. 

Kit. (shyly). Monsieur! 

Pat. Besides, you'd not want a man who'd kiss the cook an' 
yourself as well inside the space of ten minutes ! 

Kit. Monsieur, you must be mistaken ! Antonio has never 
loved any other girl but me ! 

Pat. And do ye call that big, fat, red-faced old divil a girl? 
Now listen, an' I'll tell ye — this was the way of it : The General 
sent me to tell the old cook that there would be no one here to 
dinner this evening; the door being open, I walked in quiet-like, 
an' there right forninst my very eyes was your bold Antonio 
with one arm around the old cook's waist, just like this. (Aside.) 
Did ever such luck come to any one man in one day? (To 
Kitty.) An' then he gives her a smack right on the mouth, 
just like this! (Kisses her.) 

Anto. (at door, l.), Bah! 

[Patrick chases him off, and EXITS after Antonio. 

Kit. Well, I couldn't know more about it if I had been there. 

Anto. (outside). Oh! oh! oh! 

Kit. Mercy, he will kill him! He will kill him! (Rushcj 
off, L.) 



ENTER Antonio, r. 3, ffourisliing sword; dashes through D. L. F. 
ENTER Patrick, r. 3, zmth shillelah. 

Pat, Where is he? Show me just one side of him! Give 



Escaped from the Law* 23 

me just five minutes with the macaroni-eater, and I'll make him 
think he's the last rose of summer in a thunder storm. 

[Antonio appears at window, Patrick stands hack to 
windozv. Antonio passes sword apparently through 
Patrick's body. As he draws the sword out a loud 
swish is heard. EXIT Antonio. Patrick shakes 
himself. 
Pat. That Dago's around somewhere. 

[EXIT cautiously, h. 3. 



ENTER Antonio cautiously, l. 3. 

Ant. Irisha deada ! Me killa hime! (Stands in front of 
windozv, makes passes with his sivord.) Blooda ! blooda! 
blooda ! 



Patrick ENTERS, hits him three times with his shillelah on 
the head. Each time he does this make noise with rackep^ 
outside. 

Pat. (each time he strikes). Take-a ! Bromo ! Seltzer! 

[EXIT Patrick, d. l. f. At each blow Antonio shiv- 
ers; at the third he falls. 
Anto. Irisha not deada ! Can't kill Irisha, too tougha ! 

[Commences to get up. Patrick puts liis head tn r. 3 
and yells. Antonio does funny exit l. 3, head over 
heels, if possible. Patrick looks after him and gritis. 
Pat. If that don't give him a headache for a month, I'm not 
the son of me father ! Hurrah for the shamrock and the shil- 
lelah. 

ENTER Beauplan d. r., evening dress. Takes a cigar from 
box, lights it, sits r. 

Beau. Not ten minutes in the house ere I discover a secret, 
a woman, too. Well, why should I spare her? Did she spare 
me? Years have passed since last we met, Madame Burleigh, 
but the memory of your mocking laughter rings in my ears as 
though it were but yesterday. You despised me then. Will you 
despise me now ? 

ENTER Kitty l., quickly, looks back L. 
Kit. I can do nothing with them ! They intend to fight a real 



24 ■ Escaped from the Law. 

dud, and all about me! How nice! (Sees Beauplan, turns 

Beau. One moment, my dear. Do not run away I will 
not eat you up (Kittv opens her eyes and tosses her head ) 
You have lived with madame several years. You know some- 
thing of her past life? ^ 
Kit. (airishly). Monsieur is a necromancer, a wizard' 
Beau. We shall see, my dear, we shall see! And now to 
make you comfortable, sit down, my dear. Sit down. (Kitt? 
simply places hand on back of chair and looks at him ) You can 

V^"?T]1 ^t^'" ^'^' P^^^''°"^ t° her residence in Parish 
Kit. {dryly). No, monsieur. 

Beau. Eh no? I thought not. You would if you could I 

ZeT' Wen'tf ''"'l^' ^^-'^ °^''^^ °'^ ^^ni\.m.n like 

r^v, )^ ' ','° '""""h '" discovered. You can tell me 

Htde'"! kno Tu'' \'^''' '''' "^"* *° P^^^^? It matter 
httle I know all; but after, my little charmer, after she ar- 
rived m Pans. I would like to know something of that ' 

Kit. Monsieur knows all. I know nothing i 
nnfrr F"".°f business, I see, full of business; you would 
not betray a friend who has provided you with so m;ny luxuries 
of which not the least is your present situation. 

Kit. Madame is very good to me, but madame is as silent as 
the grave. She tells me nothing. 

Beau, (looks at her, then at bill in his hand). Here then 
we have a bill for ten dollars. (Holds up the noney)' Good 
for yards of ribbon laces and such like. What I would learn 
from you, you must have seen for yourself. Under what circum- 
stances did madame marry the General ? 

evfrv^hin^ '^Y '"• ^'^f" """''-^ ^^^^"^'-'^ ^hall know 
everything. You see, madame was lonely in Paris, for she sel- 
dom went out ; with plenty of money, diamonds, horses and all 
madame was lonely; every day Monsieur le General passes he^ 
house and Monsieur le General is handsome; madame ove" 
him even before he is introduced to her. What will not money 
do, except buy one a clear conscience? By the aid of her riches 
madame accomplishes her purpose. She is introduced to Mon 
sieur Burleigh, ze General of America ' 

Beau. Well, my child, well 

Kit. (looks in amazement). Well, that is all i 

brougl't ab^out. ^°" '''' "°^ ^"^'^""^ ^°^^ ^'^ ^--^^ -- 
Kit. Madame was introduced to him. That was enough for 

a lady so handsome, so elegant and so rich' 
Beau. Did the General fall in love with her at first sight? 



Escaped from the Law, 25 

Kit. Ah, never, monsieur, never did he love her as much as 
she loved him. He admired her, a man must admire a handsome 
woman who loves him and shows it. 

Beau. Yet he married her? 

Kit. Monsieur was very much flattered. Madame was with- 
out doubt the handsomest woman in Paris. The Emperor him- 
self remarked what a grand pair they would make. 

Beau. And that settled it, I suppose. (Aside.) So my old 
friend wandered into matrimony as quickly and as aimlessly as 
a spendthrift glides into debt, and with his trusting nature never 
paused to inquire who or what she was. 

Kit. Madame moved in good society, that is usually sufficient. 

Beau. Good society sometimes covers a multitude of sins, my 
child, a multitude of sins! (Turns azvay and smokes.) 

Kit. (zvho has been looking szveetly at the ten-dollar bill). If 
Monsieur requires any more information about madame? 

Beau. You can tell me no more. (Kitty about to EXIT.) 
And, my dear (she turns quickly), your visits are like those of a 
popular physician; they cost too much. (IVaves her out.) 

[EXIT Kitty, pouting d. l. 

Beau. Humph ! The wrench will not be so great as I ex- 
pected when I tell him who and what this woman is. I must 
speak, for he has demanded an explanation. Besides, my friend- 
ship for him antedates my knowledge of her identity. What a 
change has taken place ; at first I thought I was mistaken. The 
young, shrinking girl has blossomed into a magnificent woman. 
Well, well, I did not seek revenge; it has been thrust upon me. 

ENTER Nanette, d. l. 3, in superb evening dress. Glances 
quickly around, then approaches Beauplan. Recognizing 
her presence, he rises, bows and motions her to lounge, L. 

Beau. Madame, at your service ! 

Nan. (stands l. c. ). I have awaited this opportunity, M. Beau- 
plan, in order that I might ascertain what steps you intend tak- 
ing in this matter. I will not deny — why should I — that 1 am, 
or rather was, the wife of M. Dumaire. Does that relationship 
constitute a crime? Is it because this man was poisoned that 
I am the criminal? Tried and acquitted before a competent 
tribunal, am I to live through my misery again because you know 
the history of my bitter experience? 

Beau. I must be true to my friend, madame ! 

Nan. Once you called yourself my friend ! 

Beau. Can you recall the past, the days when but to listen to 
you was happiness beyond compare? (Aside.) Fool that I am, 



26 Escaped from the Law. 

her voice has power to move me still! {To Nanette.) Yes, 
madame, you are right. Once I was your friend, your slave. 
You knew I loved you, and you scorned my love. 

Nan. Forgive me, I did not know. How could a child of 
sixteen fathom the depths of a strong man's love? 

Beau. I asked for love ; you gave me scorn. 

Nan. No, no, never that. I was young and untaught. Your 
repeated attempts to win my heart became wearisome to me, 
but believe me, I was sorry for you. 

Beau. You pitied me? 

Nan. It was all I had to give. Oh ! man, if you ever loved 
me, have mercy. Let the memory of that love blot out the past. 
If you speak, what proof have / that I am innocent ? My safety, 
my happiness, my life are in your hands. This man, this Michael 
Hatfield, did not recognize me. You alone know aught of my 
unhappy past. Be silent, and upon my knees (kneels) I will 
thank you ; upon my knees every night I will pray for you, and 
in my thoughts hold you second only to my God. 

Beau. Rise, madame. Do not tempt me. It is useless, I 
dare not yield ! 

Nan (rises). You would betray a weak and persecuted 



woman 



Beau. Madame Burleigh, if the evidence that has since trans- 
pired left any doubt as to the part you enacted in that tragic 
scene, you should have the benefit of that doubt. But doubt there 
is none, and I must warn General Burleigh, if friendship hath in 
it aught but a sounding name ! 

ENTER General, d. l. f. 

Nan. Oh, spare me ! Even though I was the indirect cause 
of my husband's death, consider my youth, my unhappy life, his 
taunts and insults, his vile attacks upon my good name : think 
of the blows he showered upon me, marks of which I still bear. 
(She thinks he is relenting and takes his liand.) Ah, you will 
not be so unmerciful, so ungenerous, as to betray me ! 

Beau, (much agitated). I cannot! I dare not! In shielding 
you I betray my friend. Leave me, madame, leave me ! It is 
impossible ! 

Gen. (dozi'n c, Beau, r.) It is impossible! 

Nan. (down l.). Robert! (Crosses c.) 

Gen. I have heard all. I understand everything. The mys- 
tery puzzles me no longer. This woman, who had no other way 
out of her troubles but the path that leads to a fearful crime, 
this Madame Dumaire, who by a miracle almost, escaped from 



Escaped from the Law* 27 

the law, is none other than Nanette L'Estrange, the woman I 
made my wife ! 

Beau, (aside). I could not save her, even if I would. Oh, 
most unhappy woman! [EXIT r. i. 

Nan. Listen to me, Robert, I implore you; do not condemn 
me unheard ! 

Gen. What explanation can you give that shall excuse your 
crime? Speak on. 1 will not judge until I have heard the 
story of your unhappy past. [Sits r. and shades face with hand. 

Nan. (stands l. c). I was born in the Island of Martinique, 
my father a Frenchman, my mother a Spaniard. From her I 
inherited a nature at once passionate and loving. While yet 
a girl my mother died. My father's love for her was intense; 
nothing could console him ; his business suffered by his neglect. 
I was scarcely seventeen, when one day he called me to him 
and told me that ruin stared him in the face unless I consented 
to marry a man I despised ! I was young, had seen little of the 
world. I idolized my father. I consented ; I became the wife 
of M. Dumaire. Alas ! my sacrifice was of no avail ; my father 
died a few months after my marriage. From the first my hus- 
band was insanely jealous! I know it now, I did not know it 
then, he must have been mad. For six months I endured a mar- 
tyrdom of blows and curses. I suffered in silence, I told my 
woes to none. (Pause.) The end came. I determined to 
die. From a chemist's assistant named Hatfield I obtained a 
small quantity of a poison at once deadly and but little known. 
It was our habit to drink wine at almost every meal. That very 
day at dinner I determined to end my misery. That very day 
his brutality reached its height; he had seen me speaking to 
his nephew, whom he had long regarded with jealous aversion. 
His anger knew no bounds ; his face was the face of a devil. 
I was paralyzed with fear, he thought it guilt. In his hand he 
held a heavy riding-whip. Frothing at the mouth, he approached 
me. I retreated. He followed, beating me until, breathless, he 
staggered into the chair I had but lately occupied. Before hm 
stood my glass of wine untouched, the glass which contained 
the draught of death. Fascinated, I watched him raise it to 
his lips. Like lightning the thought flashed through my brain, 
why should I die while such a wretch exists? A word from 
me meant life to him. That word was never spoken ; I seemed 
unable to move. Rooted to the spot, I watched him drain it 
to the very dregs ; then, faint and almost dazed with pain, I 
sought my room and slept. I slept for hours, and when I awoke 
the man who once had called me wife — was dead ! 

Gen. Dead ! 



28 Escaped from the Law. 

Nan. The rest you know ! 

Gen. Your strength was sorely tried, yet what can excuse 
a crime like yours? Why did you not fly from your unhappy 
life, take refuge in another land? IVho could have refused 
you shelter? None would have denied you justice. Your own 
act has placed a barrier between us. What man can cherish in 
his heart a being who has taken human life? Of your fearful 
act no one shall know through me. It shall be my duty to see 
that you never lack for ample means. You are still young, and 
will live to make atonement for your sin. Farewell, Nanette ! 

Nan. (kneels and takes Jiis hand). Have mercy, my husband! 
Robert, have mercy ! Think of my youth, the wild blood that 
courses through my veins, how I was driven almost to the verge 
of madness ! Above all, remember how I have loved you ! 

Gen. (releases hand, goes d. l. f. ). From the depths of my 
heart I pity you, yet must we live our lives apart. Between us 
lies your murdered husband's grave ! [EXIT d. l. 

Nan. (on knees for a moment, sobbing, then rising). The end 
has come ! O God ! the end has come ! My heart seems turn- 
ing into stone, Gone all my dreams of happiness and love. 
Lost, all lost! (Crosses l., sinks on lounge L.) 



ENTER Kitty l. d. 

Kit. Madame is ill? 

Nan. No, no, Kitty ! My husband has learned the secret of 
my unhappy past. I am no longer his wife. His love for me 
is dead, and I am to be driven out, driven forth like a dog ! 

Kit. Madame forgets. Madame is blind. Why does he 
treat you thus harshly? (Nanette shakes her head, then looks 
at her, half surmising what she is about to say. Kitty speaks 
pointedly in a lozu voice.) If he loved you, madame, your un- 
happy past would be as nothing to him. But you stand in his 
path ; as your husband, monsieur is fettered ; once free, he will 
fly to the arms of another. 

Nan. (rising). You mean 

Kit. Mrs. Dalroy. 

Nan. I know it! I have suspected it! You, too. have ob- 
served how tender his voice becomes when he speaks to her. So, 
mon General, you would remove me in order that you may be 
free. Never! I swear it! (Crosses down l.) Leave me. I 
must have time to think. (EXIT Kitty, l. 3.) This is the end of 
all ! He loves me no more ! The shadow of my unhappy past 
separates us forever ! Once more I am alone — alone ! 



Escaped from the Law. 29 

ENTER Louise, stands d. l. f. 

Louise. Can I come in, mamma? 

Nan. (starts up). Louise, my child! I had forgotten her! 
(Louise comes dozi'ii, Nanette evibraces her passionately.) 

Louise. I have been looking for you everywhere. Why do 
you look at me so strangely? 

Nan. Do not ask me, little one ! You are too young to un- 
derstand ! 

Louise. I am nearly five years old! {Crosses to chair.) 

Nan. (aside). They will try to keep her from me, but she 
is mine as well as his ; and yet I fear to speak, lest I learn she 
loves him better than her mother. What can I say to her that 
she will understand? Louise, my dearest, listen to me. (Nan- 
ette on her knees, Louise in chair.) Mamma is going away, 
dear, going away forever. 

Louise. And papa and Louise, too? 

Nan. Not papa nor Louise. I am going away alone, all 
alone, and you will never see me again ! 

Louise. I won't let you go ! Papa won't let you go ! 

Nan. He has sent me away. He does not love me, he does 
not want me any more. 

Louise. Why don't you take me, mamma? 

Nan. What would papa say? Don't you love him, too? 

Louise. Oh, yes, I love him very much. He gives me such 
lots of pretty things. 

Nan. If you were to go with me you would lose all your 
little playmates, the pony that you love so much ; you would leave 
them all to wander with your mother, forsaken and alone. You 
would not see your papa any more ; he could not kiss you when 
you went to sleep, and in the morning when you woke you 
would not see him. My darling, do you understand? 

Louise. Yes, mamma. 

Nan. Long years ago, in a sad, unhappy time, scarce knowing 
what she did, your mamma made a great mistake, for which 
she now must suffer. I shall be very lonely, my baby, when I 
am gone — oh ! so far away, with no one to love me. My voice 
will call for you, my little one. but you will not hear it and 
mamma's heart will break. (Rises.) O God, I cannot, I will 
not bear this, too! (Crosses c. To Louise.) Tell me, my 
darling, will you stay here with papa and all the friends who 
love you, or will you come with mamma, who has no one to 
love her, no one but you? 

Louise (jumps from chair and rushes to her mother's arms). 
I love you best, mamma ! Take me with you ! 



30 Escaped from the Law* 

Nan. (clasps her to her breast). With me, Louise! Thank 
God, with me ! 

CURTAIN. 



ACT III. 



SCENE. — A tenement in upper New York. An apartment poorly 
furnished, bed R. c, old table or closet up r. d. l. f., old chair 
L. Louise discovered on bed. Mrs. Ryan at foot of bed. 

Mrs. Ryan. An' the doctor hasn't been here yet, ye say? 

Nan. No, he did not come yesterday. (Near head of bed.) 

Mrs. R. Nor yesterday? Oh, well, he's that busy; but he's 
a fine man, my dear, running here and there, night and day, until 
it's dead he ought to be with the work, work, work, and no 
thanks from some of them as owes life to him. 

Nan. Yes, yes, I know. I do not blame him. If it were 
not for her I should not care whether I lived or died. 

Mrs. R. Whist, now ! Don't be saying that. It's the fever 
in ye that's talking. When you and the child's well again you'll 
cry shame to yourself for saying such things. 

Nan. For those who are in my position life has but few 
charms. You have a husband, friends ; you have much to live 
for. 

Mrs. R. Your husband's dead, then? 

Nan. Yes, dead. (Aside.) Dead to me ! 

Mrs. R. Ye feel bad now, but when the little darling is on 
her feet again,^ brisk and lively like, sure it'll all look different 
to ye. There, cheer up now, and I'll be in again to see ye when 
the child's abed and me old man is sucking comfort out of his 
old black pipe. "Sweet comfort," he calls it, but it's outside 
on the fire-escape I puts it when he goes to slape, and sometimes 
the rain beats on it and sometimes it's covered with snow, but 
the smell stays wid it, and there's no getting rid of it except wid 
a club ; but if I did that Mike would get a divorce, and then 
what would become of me and the childer? (Going.) So 
cheer up, my dear, and remember that there's one thing ye don't 
have to worry ye, and that is a nasty old black pipe wid a smell 
to it strong enough to make ye sea-sick if ye come within speak- 
ing distance of it. [EXIT d. l. f., leaving door open. 



Escaped from the Law* 3 J 

Louise (faintly). Mamma! mamma! (Nanette has been 
busy 'cvith medicine.) 

Nan. My darling, what is it? Are you in much pain? 

Louise. I thought you had gone out, and I feel so lonely 
when you are not here. If I were to die without kissing you 
good-bye ! 

Nan. No, my baby, do not say that, you will not die. God 
would not be so unjust as to take you from me. (Aside.) When 
will he come? Will he ever come again? He has visited her 
now every day for two weeks without remuneration, and even 
doctors will not serve forever without recompense. (Listens.) 
Footsteps. His, perhaps ! 

Hat. (outside, roui^hly). Shut the door, can't you? (Nan- 
ette starts back.) How do you suppose a man is to get by in 
this narrow passage if you keep your door wide open? (She 
moves to shut it.) Can't you shut the door? (Door closed 
sharply from outside.) 

Louise (frightened and trying to sit up). Mamma, who is it? 
Oh, do not let them kill me, mamma ! 

Nan. (soothingly). Hush, dear, it is nothing; only a rude 
man closing our door. (Kisses her. Aside.) Why should I 
blame him? Perhaps even he had a kind heart once, now grown 
hard by reason of the world's rough ways. (Knock heard.) He 
is here at last. Come in. 

ENTER Dr. Druce. He bows, moves toward cot. 

Doctor. The child, how is she? 

Nan. No better, I fear. 

[Doctor lias business; child's pulse, medicine, etc. 

Doc. She is no better ! " I regret to say, madame, she is 
weaker ; yet I have done my best. The physician can go only 
so far. She needs careful watching, but more than all, good 
nourishment, a change from her present quarters. Need I tell 
you that this neighborhood is one of the most unhealthy in New 
York? She requires pure air, madame. 

Nan. Certainly. (Bows, clasps Iter hands in agony.) 

Doc. I shall hardly be able to come as often as I have, there 
are so many calls for my services — and 

Nan. You have been paid nothing for your trouble. (He 
protests.) Oh, sir, I know it. I would have died ere I sent 
for you, but for her sake I forgot my pride. I could not see 
her die! 

Doc. Madame, you have my deepest sympathy, but as I have 
said, I have so many calls ; it is now five nights since I laid down 



32 Escaped from the Law. 

to sleep. Sickness, poverty, despair I meet at every step. I am 
very sorry, madame, very sorry. Good day ! 
Nan. Farewell, monsieur. (Takes Louise's hand in hers.) 
Doc. (at D. L. F.). It is very hard. She has evidently seen 
better days ; a lady if there ever was one. I would like to help 
her, but there are so many, I cannot help all. I work like 
a beaver, yet have nothing. The child might recover with proper 
nourishment, and the mother eyes beseech, though pride closes 
her lips. Pshaw ! I must go or I shall make a fool of myself. 

[EXIT D. L. F. 

Nan. (rising). He is gone. He will not come again, and 
without his skill and proper nourishment she will die ! Cruel, 
heartless! What do these men care for but money? Else how 
could they see such suffering without trying to alleviate it? 
Surely, a just God will call to fearful account those who could 
save if they would, and yet withhold their help. 

Louise (faintly). Water, mamma! Water! 

Nan. Yes, dear one. (Hands zvater. Aside.) She must, 
she shall live. I will stifle my pride, crush down my own love. 
My husband believes me dead. I will go to him. He will take 
her from my arms, but she will live. Though she may never 
again rest her baby head against her mother's breaking heart, 
she will live. (Takes pistol from table drawer, or closet, up R. ) 
He gave me this two years ago. He said a soldier's wife should 
know how to use it. He little dreamed that some day it might 
tempt me to take my own miserable life. But the sight of my 
darling's face has always given me strength to resist the temp- 
tation, but when she has left me and I am alone, what then — 
O God! what then? 

[She is now standing near foot of bed. Knock is heard 
D. L. F. She drops pistol hastily on foot of bed and 
throws kerchief over it. 

ENTER Hatfield, d. l. f. 

Hat. (loud voice. Does not look straight at her). Well, I'm 
here ! 

Nan. Please do not speak so roughly. My child is ill, very 
ill! 

Hat. Bah! What's one child more than another? You can 
pick up a dozen in the gutter below. My brother is sick, so he 
sent me, you know what for ! 

Nan. Your rent. 

Hat. Three months due to-day ! 

Nan. If he will only wait until to-morrow, I promise you 



Escaped from the Law. 33 

Hat. If he'll only wait until to-morrow, you'll promise noth- 
ing. No more promises for him ; he wants cash ! 

Nan. I am very sorry, but I have not enough money to pur- 
chase food and medicine for my child. (Points to cot.) 

Hat. And never will have. Now, look here. He don't in- 
tend to wait any longer. There's another party ready to move 
in right away and pay him a month's rent in advance, and money 
talks with us ! 

Nan. Have a little patience. To-morrow, I pledge you my 
word 

Hat. Pledge your word ! That's about all you haven't pledged, 
by the look of things ! Come now, pack up your traps and get 
out! 

Nan. You could not be so cruel ! My child would die ! 



ENTER Doctor, places package near by. 

Hat. That's none of my business! 

Nan. Where shall I go? 

Hat. To the poorhouse, of course ! That's where everybody 
should go when they can't pay their way. Come now, and I'll 
help you take your furniture downstairs. (Laughs.) Furni- 
ture ! (Picks up two cJiairs, turns to go, sees Doctor, wlio re- 
mains in doorway.) Well, are you going to stay there all day? 

Doc. Perhaps. 

Hat. Well, just let me by and you can stay here a week if 
you want to. 

Doc. I have no objection to your going. 

Hat. Well, why don't you get out of the way? 

Doc. I will just as soon as you place those chairs where you 
found them ; not before. 

Hat. This woman hasn't paid her rent and I'm putting her 
out. I have a warrant for what I'm doing. 

Doc. With the law on your side, out in the bitter wind that 
is blowing you would drive this poor woman. Have you for- 
gotten that upon the cot you would thrust into the street there 
lies a dying child? A warrant for all this infamy, say you? 

Hat. Yes, a warrant signed by the Sheriff of New York. 
[Takes papers from pocket and drops one on the Aoor. 

Doc. (takes zvarrant). If that warrant were signed by the 
President of the United States they should not go! (Tears 
warrant.) Madame, how much do you owe this man? 

Hat. It amounts to 



34 Escaped from the Law, 

Doc. Silence! (Then to Nanette.) Madame {Takes 

out pocketbook.) 

Na^. Three months, at six dollars a month. 

Doc. There is your money, now go ! {Hands money to Hat- 
field.) 

Hat. See what it is to be a woman, my dear, a young and 
handsome woman! Ah, doctor, you are a sly rogue! {Turns 
toward door.) You won't lose anything by it, will you? Ha! 
ha ! ha ! She is a good-looker, eh, doctor, and {Finds Doc- 
tor facing him, sneaks out d. l. f. Doctor closes door quietly, 
picks up. package, hands it to Nanette.) 

Doc. Madame, pardon me. Your child, she is like my own; 
this wine is the very best ; do not refuse it ; it will do her good. 
You love her, you dare not refuse. 

Nan. Refuse it, monsieur? No! I accept your gift, and 
from the depths of my heart I thank you for all you have done 
for me and mine. 

Doc. Do not think us rough and unfeeling ; we of the med- 
ical profession, believe me, madame, we are sorely tried, yet 
there are many among us who believe that the only true phy- 
sician is he who carries with him wherever he goes not only 
the skill which comes to him through years of toil, endeavor and 
research, but also the heart of sympathy which comes only from 
God. 

Nan. Ungrateful woman that I am, I have lately doubted the 
existence of a God. I will doubt never again. {Kneels and 
kisses his hand.) Never again, monsieur. (Doctor takes away 
his hand.) 

Doc. Do not. madame, I beg of you. {Goes to door.) Adieu, 
madame, until to-morrow. [EXIT hurriedly, d. l. f. 

Nan. (rising). How I misjudged him! See, Louise, what 
the good doctor has brought you. Wine, my darling ! Wine to 
make you strong! But that is not all; to-morrow my little girl 
shall see her papa. 

Louise. See papa? I am so glad! 

Nan. And he will take you from this dreary place to live 
with him. 

Louise. And you, mamma? 

Nan. And L Louise? No, he docs not want me any more. 
You may never see me again ! 

Louise (tries to sit up). Then don't let me go, mamma, don't 
let me go! I should die if you were not there. (Faints.) 

Nan. Louise! Louise! Speak to me! Oh, I was mad to 
speak to her so ! It has killed her. (Listens.) No, she breathes! 
Thank God, she breathes ! No time must be lost. I will call 



Escaped from the Law* 35 

the old woman who watches over her when I am absent, and then 
speed me on the errand that shall bring life to her and to me 
the bitterness of everlasting despair. (Moves toward d. h, sees 
paper Hatfield dropped.) The doctor must have dropped this. 
No address, no signature. What's this? (Reads.) "Tuesday 
at 7 o'clock, first the house, then the lower mill. B. will be at 
dinner and can't escape." (Dozvn stage r. ENTER Hatfield, 
looks around cautiously, sees Nanette, who is still holding the 
paper, creeps dozvn behind her. Nanette reads.) "First the 
house, then the lower mill. B. will be at dinner!" My God! 
danger threatens General Burleigh ! This must have been 
dropped accidentally by that man Hatfield ! I knew him at once, 
though he failed to recognize me. 

Hat. So you know me, eh? Well, I know you now. You 
used to be the wife of General Burleigh ! 

Nan. I am still his wife ! 

Hat. Oh, well, we'll let it go at that ! None so blind as 
those who won't see. There's a pretty little widow visits there 
often enough, though. Now, give me that paper. 

Nan. What if I refuse? 

Hat. Well. I'll have to take it from you, that's all! (Nan- 
ette hands it to him. He looks at it, then at her.) You know 
what this means? 

Nan. Yes. It means that my husband is in danger of his 
life ! 

Hat. I thought you knew. Well, what are you going to do 
about it? 

Nan. I shall go to General Burleigh at once and warn him 
of your infamous plot ! 

Hat. Oh, no, you won't ! You wouldn't leave your dying 
child. Besides, it would be dangerous for you! 

Nan. I care not. 

Hat. Now, listen to me ! You thought I didn't recognize you 
that day in the garden, didn't you? Well, you were mistaken! 
I knew you as soon as the doctor spoke ! You had changed won- 
derfully, but I recognized you as the woman who poisoned her 
first husband in the Island of Martinique. 

Nan. You knew me? Then why did you deny it? 

Hat. (laughs). Well, from no love of you, now I can tell 
you ! What benefit would it have been to me to say I knew you ? 
None at all ! To hold my tongue for a time meant money, lots 
of it. If you had not left your husband you would have been 
in my power, and you would have paid me handsomely to keep 
quiet. But that knowledge gives me the winning hand now ! 
Stir one step from this place and I will inform the authorities 



36 Escaped from the Law. 

who and what you are. What do you say to the deal? Is it 
silence for silence? 

Nan. No! 

Hat. You defy me? 

Nan. Yes. 

Hat. And will tell all you know? 

Nan. Everything. 

Hat. Then you sign your own death warrant ! Where we 
can't convince, we kill ! 

Nan. Your threats will not deter me. I will go, and at once. 
[Moves up stage. Hatfield steps between her and door. 

Hat. Not yet, my lady. You are in my power. Open your 
mouth to give the alarm and I will strangle you. Now then, 
what is it, your silence or your life? 

Nan. You have my answer. Stand aside, or I will call for 
help! 

Hat. Then call, damn you! Call! (Locks door quickly and 
rushes toivard her.) 

Nan. (taking pistol from bed). Stop! Another step and I 
will kill you ! 

CURTAIN. 



ACT IV. 



SCENE. — Library (in 3). Upper part of horizon backing. Tele- 
graph pole and wire in 5. Lace curtains bunched r. and l. 
of window, so as to give good view of pole. Windotv c.,. 
and very large office table in front of window. Telegraph 
machine on l. of table. Kitty DISCOVERED at table, 

D. L. 3, D. R. 3. 

Kit. (taps machine, it ticks). Tick-a-tick ! Monsieur Bran- 
nigan says it is like a woman's tongue, it goes one hundred to ze 
minute; it speaks such a funny language. I understand ze 
French parfaitement, ze English ze little bit, but zis one not at 
all. (Taps.) Tick-a-tick, tick-a-tick! What is zis tick-a-tick? 
Mon Dieu, it is a funny language! (Turns to go. Machine 
ticks itself. Kitty ttirns quickly.) It is alive! (Approaches 
cautiously, machine ticks.) Tick-a-tick, tick-a-tick! What is 



Escaped from the Law. 37 

2at you say? It is not French, it is not English, but tick-a-tick! 
(Laughs.) I do not know it. Monsieur Middleton he speak ze 
language of ze tick-a-tick. I will call Monsieur Middleton. 
(Crosses R. ENTER Middleton, r. 3.) Monsieur Middleton, 
ze machine goes tick-a-tick. 

Mid. The operator at the mill is trying to talk to me. All 
right. (Sits at tabic.) 

Kit. (aside). Ze operator at ze mill is trying to talk! I should 
say he must have ze big voice. The mill is nearly a mile away. 
(Middleton answers message.) 

Mid. Where is the General? 

Kit. He is not yet dressed for dinner, monsieur. 

Mid. When he comes down give him my excuses. I must 
meet a gentleman at the mill immediately. (ENTER Flora, 
R. 3. Kitty turns to go.) And tell them to send round the car- 
riage. 

Kit. Ze General's mother has not yet returned from her after- 
noon drive, monsieur. 

Mid. Then ask Brannigan to see that my horse is saddled at 
once. 

Kit. Oui, monsieur. [EXIT l. 3. 

Flo. Why not use my carriage? It is at the door. You can 
then be back in time for dinner. 

Mid. I may be detained for an hour or more. 

Flo. Well, my carriage can call for you at any time. 

Mid. That would be trespassing on your goodness. 

Flo. Not in the least. The horses need the exercise. And 
as Mrs. Burleigh has not returned, I should prefer to take the 
drive. 

Mid. Did you intend to go? 

Flo. Certainly! Why not? 

Mid. Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. 

Flo. Of course, if you prefer to go alone, why (Turns 

aivay pouting.) 

Mid. You misunderstand me. I was afraid that 

Flo. That it might set some of the old chatterboxes to 
chattering? Well, let them chatter. I am rich enough, young 
enough and independent enough to care nothing about it. Be- 
sides, I would not for the world deprive the dear old magpies 
of their only pleasure in life. 

Mid. No, but I hate 

Flo. Me! Well upon my word, Mr. Middleton! 

Mid. Hate you? Why, I would 

Flo. Go through fire and water for me. Oh, yes, I know. 
They all say that 



38 Escaped from u.e Law* 

Mid. But do they mean it? 

Flo. Oh, yes. Not because they love me, you know, but my 
bank account. Oh, you men, you men ! 

Mid. Why, you are young enough and pretty enough to 

Flo. (aside). He'll propose inside of ten seconds. (To MiD- 
DLETON.) You were saying— pardon me, I almost forgot my- 
self. (Aside.) I wish I had qtiite. 

MiD. (aside). Damn it! if she was not so infernally rich I'd 
propose to her right now. 

Flo. (aside). Just my luck! Fine head of steam on, engine 
running smooth as oil, when zip! bang! train jumps the track. 

MiD. (aside). I came pretty near it that time. (IVhistles.) 

Flo. (aside). If this were only leap year, I — I — do believe I'd 
leap. He never will. 

MiD. I will accept your offer of the carriage, Mrs. Dalroy. 

Flo. Me, too? (Aside.) There's a hint for him. 

Mid. If you care to go 

Flo. (aside). If I care. He's as blind as a mole. (To MiD- 
dleton.) Perhaps I shall be in the way. I am such a chatter- 
box, you know, and you may want to think. 

MiD. I never think. 

Flo. Don't you? 

Mid. I mean, my thinking can be done later. 

Flo. How kind of you! Come, then. (They turn to go R.) 
Mr. Middleton, do you remember the day, about six months ago, 
you buttoned my glove so very awkwardly? 

Mid. I shall never forget it. 

Flo. Nor shall I. Do you know, the mark is still there? 
(Looks at wrist.) 

Mid. Impossible! (Looks at wrist.) I don't seem to see it. 

Flo. It is there, nevertheless. (Sighs.) I — don't — think it 
— will — ever — go away. (Aside.) That ought to fetch him. 

Mid. (looks at her, puazled. She looks up at him coquet- 
tishly). Please, please don't look at me in that way, or I shall 
do something desperate. 

Flo. What will you do? 

Mid. Go and drown myself. 

Flo. Is that all ? 

Mid. Is that all? 

Flo. I thought you were going to say something far more 
serious — and probable. 

Mid. Mrs. Dalroy, I am only a poor devil, just a common 
mill superintendent to whom you have been very kind, and I 
don't want to take advantage of that kindness ; but if you look 
at me like that again I shall do something I may be sorry for. 



Escapeu irom the Law. 39 

Flo. Mr. Middleton, there are times when it is best to do 
things we may be sorry for. 

Mid. You think so? 

Flo. I knozv so. 

Mid. Mrs. Dalroy, you don't know everything. 

Flo. Not quite everything. 

Mid. If you knew what I was thinking of just now you would 
fly from me. 

Flo. (mysteriously). It wasn't murder? 

Mid. No. 

Flo. Nor suicide? 

Mid. Pretty near it. 

Flo. Robbery ! 

Mid. Yes, that's it, robbery, barefaced out-and-out robbery. 

Flo. How terrible ! 

Mid. At any rate, that's what most people would call it, rob- 
bery. 

Flo. Of course, a great deal depends on zvhat you steal — and 
the amount. 

Mid. I am afraid you don't quite understand. 

Flo. I think I do. (Aside.) He can get as near to a pro- 
posal as any man I ever knew without actually popping. 

Mid. Allow me to explain. 

Flo. Certainly! (Aside.) If he can explain without pro- 
posing he's a wonder. 

Mid. Suppose a poor man, like myself, for instance, should 
be fool enough to fall in love with a lady, young, beautiful and 
rich. 

Flo. Such things have happened. 

Mid. And suppose he had the impertinence to propose to the 
lady in question. 

Flo. Such impertinence has been known. 

Mid. What answer could such a man expect from such a 
woman ? 

Flo. That would entirely depend upon whether she loved him 
or not. 

Mid. Well, does she? 

Flo. Does she? If you will kindly let me know who the lady 
is, I will do my very best to find out the state of her feelings. 

Mid. Don't you know? 

Flo. How should I? 

Mid. Mrs. Dalroy, I will hesitate no longer. The lady in 
question is 



40 Escaped from the Law* 

ENTER Patrick, d. l. 3. 

Pat. Mrs. Burleigh has returned and the carriage is waiting, 
sir. 

Mid. Oh, yes, certainly! Thank you. {To Flora.) You 
will excuse me, Mrs. Dalroy? (Flora boivs, Middleton crosses 
K. Aside.) One moment more and I should have proposed and, 
I suppose, made a fool of myself. [EXIT, d. r. 3. 

Flo. (aside). One moment more and he would have proposed, 
and I should have made a fool of myself. 

[EXIT, D. L. 3. Patrick stands c, looking r. then l. 

Pat. There's a couple of funny ducks. [EXIT l. c. 

ENTER Kitty, d. l. 3. 

Kit. (looks around). Monsieur Gene! And the General 
will be here in a moment. (Looks through tvindow c. and calls.) 
Monsieur Middleton ! He does not hear me. ( Waves hand to 
him, looks, zvavcs again.) Why, who can that be? A gentle- 
man. He thinks I wave my hand to him. (Shrugs shoulders.) 
Pooh! (Looks again.) Oh, well he not so bad-looking. 
What's that? He kisses his hand to me — shall I — yes — yes — 
why not? (Kisses her hand.) Oh, ze fun of ze thing. Ze 
love at first sight. Zees Americans zey do everything so quick. 
Zey fall in love at ten o'clock, ze marriage at eleven, ze divorce 
at twelve. He has ze beautiful moustache. (Kisses hand. Pat- 
rick has entered during this scene and is now looking over her 
shoulder.) 

Pat. So you're flirting again. (Kitty commences to dust 
table zvitli handkerchief she has been zvaving.) Oh, ye needn't 
be trying to throw dust in me eyes. Well, if ye want that gen- 
tleman there, it's more than himself ye'll have to take. A man 
with a wife and six living monuments of conjugal industry. 

Kit. What? Married? The wretch! 

Pat. Yes, married, poor wretch ! 

Kit. Oh, well, I was just a-having a little fun. I thought you 
were dead. 

Pat. Having a little fun because you thought I was dead ! 

Kit. No, no ! 

Pat. Yes, I know, I know. That's the way with all the 
women. No sooner is one poor divil under the sod than they're 
throwing the fly for another. Well, I'm not dead yet, but I came 
mighty near it once. 

Kit. How was that? 



Escaped from the Law* 4J 

Pat. I lived in Philadelphia six months. I was buried alive, 
and sure, that's next to being dead. 

Kit. It was a frightful risk. It is horrible. I feel as if I was 
going to faint. 

Pat. And I feel as if I was going to catch ye. (She faints 
in Jus airms, opens one eye atid ivinks at the audience.) She 
loves me, the little divil loves me. Did ever such luck come to 
any one man in one day? (Kisses her, she sneezes; he is puz- 
zled.) Now that's funny. I never heard of a woman sneezing 
when she was in a faint. It must be a spasmodic contraction of 
the olfactory nerve. It's a nerve, anyway. (Kisses her again; 
she sneezes.) Here, here, now, you're bluffing me. 

[Slie bounces away from him. 

Kit. I like that. 

Pat. I thought you did. 

Kit. When a lady faints in your arms have you no more sense 
than to tickle her nose with your great big ugly red moustache? 
Oh, you brute ! 

Pat. It's a way I have. 

Kit. Antonio would not do that. 

Pat. I'd kill Antonio but for one thing. 

Kit. And what is that, monsieur? 

Pat. He is a countryman of mine. 

Kit. Ze Irishman and ze Dago from ze same country ! 
(Laughs.) 

Pat. Why, certainly ! It's a long while ago, but I'll prove 
it to ye. Ain't them Dagos Macaronis? Well, centuries ago 
the Macaronis used to be the McRooneys. Now d'ye mind? 

Kit. Yes, yes, I understand. 

Pat. Now choose between us. 

Kit. I have already chosen, monsieur ! 

Pat. You have! Well, is it garlic or corn beef and cabbage? 

Kit. Monsieur, I prefer — ze corn beef and cabbage. 

Pat. Wait before ye decide. I must tell ye ! I have a secret 
in my past life ! 

Kit. a secret ! 

Pat. a secret ! I have been foolish. Ah, me ! Ah, me ! 
(Business of sighing, etc.) Listen. (Takes her by the wrist.) 
I wouldn't be here now but for a woman ! 

Kit. a woman! Ah! (Jealous, hand on heart.) 

Pat. Yes — my mother I 

Kit. Monsieur, you are very funny ! You deserve ze beg re- 
ward. I will give you a kiss ! 

Pat. My mouth is watering already ! 



42 Escaped from the Law. 

Kit. Kneel down. (Business.) Shut your eyes. (Business.) 

[She creeps softly out D. l. 3. Patrick has business, 

smacking his lips, sticking out his lips, etc., until 

he nearly falls over. Opens his eyes. 

Pat. The little French heathen ! But there'll come a time 

some day. (Looks after her, d. l. 3.) 

ENTER Hatfield, r. 3. 

Hat. She's not here yet. I'll see him first. He shall come 

to our terms, or (Sees Patrick, who steps away from door.) 

Oh, it's you, is it? 

Pat. Yes, it is me, is it. What do you want here? 

Hat. That's none of your business. 

Pat. I'll make it my business ! 

Hat. You'd better mind your own business, or you may get 
into hot water ! 

Pat. Into hot water, eh? Oh, well, there's nothing too good 
for the Irish ! 

Hat. You're fond of bluffing, my friend, but this time it 
don't go ! 

Pat. Well, never mind the bluff, so long as you go ! Do you 
see that window ? 

Hat. I'm not blind ! 

Pat. Yes, ye are, but ye don't know it ! Well, that window 
is thirty feet from the ground ! 

Hat. Make it thirty-one. (Sarcastically.) 

Pat. You'll find the thirty enough. Now do you think you 
could drop that much without hurting yourself? 

Hat. Why? 

Pat. Because if you don't go that way (points to d. l.) pretty 
quick you'll go this way (window) a damned sight quicker. 

Hat. You put on as many airs as if you owned the place ! 

Pat. It's a way I have ! 

Hat. There's many a true word spoken in jest! 

Pat. I'll take the risk. 

Hat. You'd better get insured. 

Pat. I am ! In the best company in the world. 

Hat. What's that? 

Pat. The Stout-Heart-and-Strong-Arm-Company. Capital 
unlimited ! 

Hat. You have a good long tongue ! 

Pat. I can reach further with my fist! (Puts fist under Hat- 
field's nose.) 

Hat. I thought you were the gardener here? 



Escaped from the Law* 43 

Pat. I am. And it's just itching I am this blessed minute to 
do a little transplanting. (Business.) 

Hat. Well, if you are the gardener, why the devil don't you 
stick to your garden? 

Pat. W^ll, you see, gardening is my business during the day, 
but when the shades of night begin to fall I have other business 
to attend to. 

Hat. What's that? 

Pat. I'm the family watch-dog. 

Hat. You're a cursed meddler! 

Pat. And you a cursed muddler. Say, what are you, any- 
way? 

Hat. Well, if you must know, I am an agitator ! 

Pat. An agi-tater! An agi-tater! Humph ! Where do 
them taters grow? 

Hat. They take root in most any soil, if you know how to 
plant them. They are now growing to perfection in Russia, Ger- 
many, and even in your own native place, Ireland. 

Pat. Am I Irish? Who told you? So they grow most any- 
where, eh? But not in America. 

Hat. Not yet. 

Pat. And they never will ! 

Hat. Why not? 

Pat. Because the fertilizer we use in this country means cer- 
tain death to every such crop ! But come to think of it, I'm an 
agitator myself! 

Hat. An agitator ! How ? 

Pat. I agitate agitators! (Fires him out d. r. 3.) 

[EXITS after Hatfield. 

ENTER General and Flora, d. l. 3. 

Gen. My dear, you cannot visit us too often. You are a 
great favorite with my mother, and you know she does not care 
to go out. 

Flo. I would certainly come more frequently, but people talk 
so, General. 

Gen. Oh, they talk, anyway. Now just think of it, only yes- 
terday I heard your name coupled with that of John Middleton, 
my superintendent. 

Flo. The idea ! 

Gen. Preposterous, was it not? 

Flo. Of course, he is quite the gentleman, and 

Gen. Has more brains than nine men out of ten, but of course 
that does not count. 



44 Escaped from the Law. 

Flo. It seems not. (Sighs.) 

Gen. Now a woman of your tastes and aspirations would 
never allow yourself to fall in love with such a man ! I am sure 
you would not. 

Flo. Why are you so sure? 

Gen. Well, to be perfectly honest, I have been keeping my 
eyes open lately, and it seems to me you object to his society. 

Flo. That is the conclusion you have arrived at? 

Gen. Pretty shrewd, am I not? Oh, you won't catch the old 
man asleep very often ! 

Flo. That is evident. 

Gen. I have also observed that when you see him coming you 
generally run the other way. 

Flo. The idea of my being so undignified as to run ! 

Gen. When he speaks to you, you seem as shy as a young 
school-girl, and hardly answer the poor fellow. 

Flo. What utter rubbish you are talking ! 

Gen. In short, I believe you actually hate him! (Turns his 
face aivay and shakes zvith laughter.) 

Flo. (aside). He is poking fun at me, I am sure of it! (Creeps 
around behind him and catches him laughing. He ceases laugh- 
ing and pretends to be very serious.) So that is what you mean, 
sir? 

Gen. What, my dear? What? 

Flo. Exactly opposite to all you have been saying ! 

Gen. Well, the fact is — er 

Flo. Don't deny it, sir ! Oh, I despise such trickery, such 
deceit I 

Gen. Then you do not hate him? 

Flo. I don't see why I should. 

Gen. And you do love him? 

Flo. Is there not a happy medium? 

Gen. I am afraid he would not be happy with any medium. 
Now which is it, do you hate or love him most? 

Flo. Well, I can't say that I hate him ! 

Gen. Not if you stick to the truth. Then you do love him? 

Flo. I did not say so ! 

Gen. No, you did not say so ! 

Flo. No, sir, I did not say so ! Nor will I stay here to be 
catechized. So good-by, you meddlesome, inquisitive, sus- 
picious, interfering old tease ! 

Gen. Just one moment. 

Flo. No, sir. I have heard enough ! 

Gen. This is purely a business matter. 

Flo, Be quick, then ! 



Escaped from the Law. 45 

Gen. I have come to the conclusion, provided you agree with 
me, to offer Mr. John Middleton, our superintendent, a junior 
partnership ! 

Flo. (astonished) . You have? 

Gen. He has served us faithfully for ten years. He knows 
every twist and turn of the market. In fact, I could not very 
easily replace him. 

Flo. a junior partnership? 

Gen. Certainly ! Suppose some rival concern should discover 
his worth and offer him a better position ! 

Flo. It might happen at any moment. 

Gen. We cannot afford to lose him ! 

Flo. He should be retained at any cost, any sacrifice. (Sighs.) 

Gen. No sacrifice necessary, my dear. We will offer him 
such inducement as shall compel him to remain ! 

Flo. We certainly should — any inducements ! 

Gen. So you entirely approve? 

Flo. With all my heart ! 

Gen. I thought so ! 

Flo. And when shall you tell him of the contemplated change? 

Gen. Oh, there's plenty of time for that! 

Flo. Do you think so? 

Gen. Say six months from now. 

Flo. Six months ! 

Gen. Too long? 

Flo. It seems just a trifle too long to me! 

Gen. Well, what do you say to giving him the information 
this very day? 

ENTER Doctor Druce, Patrick and Nanette, d. r. 3. 

Flo. You will ! Oh, you dear, sweet, kind, lovely old tease, 
you ! [Kisses him. Both down L. 

[Nanette is veiled; turns, staggers and tries to leave the 
room. 

Doc. (aside to Nanette). Do not give up now, dear ma- 
dame. Think only of the General's safety and the life of your 
child. 

Flo. (to General). I will not detain you. General. (Goes L.) 
Don't forget, to-day without fail ! 

Gen. I'll not forget! (EXIT Flora, d. l. 3. To Doctor.) 
Pardon me. what can I do for you? (Doctor hands card.) Dr. 
Druce! (Extends hand.) I know you well, by reputation. I 



46 Escaped from the Law* 

have heard so much of you and your unswerving fidelity to the 
poor that I am very, very glad to meet you ! 

Doc. I have only done my duty, sir ! This lady is the bearer 
of most important information — I will leave her with you ! 

[EXIT, D. R. 3. 

Gen. Madame, pray be seated ! 

Nan. I — prefer — to — stand. (Raises veil.) 

Gen. Nanette! {Amazed.) 

Nan. Forgive me for intruding upon you. The tidings I 
bring must be my excuse ! You are in danger — in danger of your 
life; within the hour this very house may be a heap of smoking 
ashes. 

Gen. What do j^ou mean? 

Nan. a plot exists to burn this house and the lower mill ! 
Michael Hatfield and a desperate band of associates intend to 
destroy your property and murder you ! 

Gen. In what way have I incurred such diabolic enmity? 

Nan. I know not ! By accident I learned their secret and 
have come to warn you ! 

Gen. You risked your life for my sake? 

Nan. And for the sake of our child. She is ill — dying! 
Dying for want of fresh air and proper nourishment. 

Gen. Why did you not come to me before? 

Nan. I feared that the law might take her from my arms. 

Gen. As God is my judge, much as I love her, greatly as I 
have missed her, I would not have taken her from you. Come, 
we will go to her at once! {Turns R.) 



ENTER Hatfield, d. r. 3. 

Hat. One moment. You have had your turn, now it's mine ; 
we gave you our terms, you refused to listen. 

Gen. You wanted me to discharge good workmen and put 
on a lot of drunkards and shiftless vagabonds, and I refused. 

Hat. The house is surrounded. Your Irish watch-dog is 
safe under lock and key. For the last time I say, give us what 
we demand or we will burn you like rats in a trap. What do 
you say? 

Gen. No! I will not be coerced. Burn the mill. Reduce 
this house to ashes — do your worst — I will not yield one inch! 

[Turns down L. Nanette is L. c. 

H.\T. And so we will ! We've given you rope enough ! You 
called me a bully and a coward, didn't you? Well, my life for 
yours! {Fires at General, Nanette comes between, receives 



Escaped from the Law, 47 

shot, staggers and is cattght by General. Hatfield laughs and 
turns to run.) 

ENTER Patrick, r. u. Knocks pistol from his hand. 

Pat. Stay right wheje you are! 

CURTAIN. 



ACT V. 



SCENE.— ^aw^ as Act IV. General DISCOVERED, l. c. 

Nanette lying on a sofa, l. Doctor examining her head. 

Gen. You are sure the wound is not fatal ? 

Doc. You need have no fear on that score. The bullet struck 
aslant and glanced off, leaving her stunned. 

[Loud slioiits arc heard below the zvindow. 

Gen. {moves to the zvindotv). I had forgotten! Something 
must be done, but what.'' 

Doc. Is there no way of getting word to the men in the valley — 
those who are loyal to you ? 

Gen. None; the house is surrounded! {Murmurs outside.) 

Doc. That they will shrink at nothing, even murder, we have 
ample proof! {Points to Nanette.) 

Gen. If Middleton were only here we might have some hope ! 

Doc. Middleton. 

Gen. My superintendent. He has lived with us for several 
years. We are connected with the mill by telegraph, principally 
for his accommodation. 

Doc. Is there no one else in the house capable of sending a 
message? 

Gen. No one {suddenly) except my wife ! She was quite 
proud of her dexterity ! Unfortunately, she is now unable to 
help us. 

[Both look out of zvindow. Nanette recovers a little. 

Doc. No, that is impossible. 

Gen. {points to telegraph pole). See, they have either forgot- 
ten the wire or they are aware there is no one here able to use it. 



48 Escaped from the Law. 

Doc. It is past the hour for work. Who would receive the 
message even if it were sent? {Moves to tlie zvindoiv.) 

Gen. Middleton himself. He was called to the mill half an 
hour ago on important business. 

Doc. (looking through the windozv). There are three of 
them talking together. 

Gen. (looks). Yes! The dark one is that miserable scoun- 
drel, Hatfield ! See, he points to the wire ! My God ! 
If we could only send a message, and at once. (Nanette still 
recovers.) I can stand this no longer. Anything is better than 
such inaction. Doctor Druce. I leave my wife in your care. 
Remain in the house until the last moment. I have but to reach 
the men who are faithful to me and assistance can soon be ob- 
tained. 

Doc. What do you intend to do? (r. of table.) 

Gen. Break through their line and get to the village. Good- 
by. I am off ! (Shakes hand.) 

Nan. Stay ! Your action would be of no avail. You would 
be too late. I will send the message. 

Gen. No ! no. (Goes over to '^a'nette.) 

Nan. Yes, I must send it ! 

Gen. The effort may cost you your life. (Assists Nanette to 
table.) 

Nan. It is death to us all if I do not make the attempt. 

Gen. (looks at Doctor Druce). Doctor? 

Doc. It is not wise in her present condition, but delay may 
be fatal. 

Nan. Do not deny me, I beg of you. 

[Nanette sits facing l. of table, so as to leave the win- 
dozv clear. She endeavors to call Middleton; no 
anszvcr. She falls back against General Burleigh. 

Gen. There is no response. He must be in another part of 
the building ! 

Doc. And see! They are preparing to cut the wire. (Points 
out of ziiindozv. Nanette hears and recovers. She tries to 
catch Middleton again — pause.) 

Nan. No answer! My God! No (Instrument ticks.) 

Yes, yes, he has heard me ! He is there ! Quick. Quick, the 
message ! 

Gen. (speaks message, zvhich she telegraphs). "Hatfield and 
about twenty other scoundrels are here — to burn — the house ! Es- 
cape cut off! Can you help us? Burleigh." 

Doc. See, they are climbing the pole ! 

[Nanette faints in the General's arms, or leans against 
him half-fainting. 



Escaped from the Law. 49 

Gen. Never mind that. Quick ! The strain has been too 
much for her. 

[They support Nanette toward sofa. When close to 
it instrument ticks. She recovers with great effort 
and listens, leaning on General. 

Nan. The answer! The answer! (Hatfield's head is seen 
through ivindow, near top of pole.) "Inside thirty minutes will 
bring you one hundred men." {Sinks on sofa as the wire i^ 
cut.) 

Doc. The strain has been too great; she is completely ex- 
hausted. It would not surprise me if the shock made her 
slightly delirious. Have no fear, however; rest is all she needs. 
I will prepare a draught for her. [EXIT Doctor, r. s. 

Gen. And this is the woman I drove from my side ! Scorned 
and rejected by the man who swore to love and protect her, she 
risked her own life to save mine. 

[Nanette recovers a little. 

Nan. Where am I? What has happened? Let me think! 
Am I dreaming, and shall I wake to find myself with Louise? 
Louise — Louise, my darling! No, no; I left her to go — to — to — 

ah, yes, I remember ! The shot ! That man's terrible eyes 

No, no, it is not a dream! (Sinks back.) 

Gen. Nanette ! 

Nan. (looks up slowly, but not at General). His voice! He 
is here to mock me. I cannot endure that. I shall go mad ! 
(Rises.) 

Gen. Nanette, it is I. Come, let me take you to your room. 

Nan. (repulses him). Do not touch me! You have no right! 
Let me go to Louise! (Crosses c.) 

Gen. Nanette, I beseech you, forget the past. I am your 
friend, am I not? 

Nan. Friend! He calls me friend! Too late! Too late, I 
tell you ! (Waves him back.) I will not live to see her triumph. 
(Hands to head.) Take me to Louise. (Bends over sofa, as 
though over Louise.) Yes, yes, my darling, I will close the 
door. I will close it gently. He is only a rough man. (Rises, 
stamps her foot.) Stand still, I say! See! See! The eminent 
physician is dancing — dancing the dance of death! (Laughs.) 
Old withered stick, no human ivy ever twined around your heart ! 
Pity! Who wants your pity? (Sinks on sofa.) 

Gen. (to Doctor, ruho enters d. r. 3.) She is slightly de- 
lirious. 

Doc. If she could sleep, even for half an hour, it would be 
of the utmost benefit to her. 

Nan. (rises, looks at vacancy for a few moments, then her face 



50 Escaped from the Law* 

breaks into a smile.) Ah, what a happy day this has been ! Just fif- 
teen years old, and all is bright and beautiful to-night, and the 

dancing, the lights and the carriages {The smile dies out, she 

sighs, face becomes sad; she stares as if at some one.) Ruined! 
You are ruined, you say, unless I marry M. Dumaire? I — I — must 
save you. You are my father, my dear, good old father. Yes, I 
must save you ! {Pauses a vioment, screams, grasps sofa con- 
vulsively.) Leave me, I tell you! I will not obey you, M. Du- 
maire ! I am your wife, and not your slave ! You lie ! I am 
not guilty ! I love no one, least of all you, who call me wife by 
virtue of love's death-trap, a marriage of convenience. Wife! 
I hate you! Take care! Remember my mother's Spanish blood 
runs in my veins, and where we hate we kill. (Staggers and is 
cauglit by General.) 

Gen. Nanette, do you know me? (Nanette looks at him 
for a moment, as if she sees him, and frees herself from his grasp.) 

Nan. You here? (Appears dazed.) Oh, how the fire burns. 
(Clasps bosom.) My blood, my brains, all on fire! You drove 
me out, drove me from you like a dog, drove me back to my old 
thoughts. And I was happy, oh, so happy ! until she came and 
robbed me of my peace. Then came the horrible resurrection 
of my buried past, and I was once more the leper, Nanette Du- 
maire ! And now, lost, all lost, and I — I — am sinking — sinking ! 
Save me. Robert ! Save me ! 

Doc. I will take her to her room. Do not be alarmed. Gen- 
eral ; she has but to sleep and all will be well. This way, ma- 
dame. Come with me. (Leads her off d. l. 2. Burleigh about 
to follow.) 

ENTER MiDDLETON, D. R. 3. 

Mid. General Burleigh! (Burleigh turns quickly.) 

Gen. Middleton ! (Offers hand, withdraws it quickly. Looks 
at Middleton, who is disguised as a workman.) Yes, it is Mid- 
dleton ! What on earth are you doing in that dress? 

Mid. I knew I would never get into the house without some 
such disguise, and in the dark no one recognized me. 

Gen. And the men? 

Mid. Will be here inside ten minutes, headed by six policemen 
from the village. 

Gen. All goes well. Have you heard of the attempt on my 
wife's life? 

Mid. Yes. Brannigan told me. 

Gen. I will leave you in charge for a few moments while I 
see to her comfort. (Going.) By the way, in recognition of 



Escaped from the Law. 5J 

your faithful services to the firm, I have decided to take you into 
partnership. We will talk over the details later. 

Mid. Take me into partnership ! 

Gen. Certainly ! Why not ? 

Mid. I don't see what I have done to deserve such kindness, 
such generosity. 

Gen. (as if sternly). That is a matter of opinion, sir. You 
know how obstinate I am in such matters, so don't try to thwart 
me. 

Mid. Of course, if you insist. 

Gen. I certainly do ! I need rest. I am going to Europe. 
I am tired of hard work. There are a dozen reasons why I 
should have a partner. (Going.) 

Mid. I am deeply grateful, General. 

Gen. Well, then, I hope you will be willing to prove your 
gratitude by following my advice. 

Mid. And that is 

Gen. (at d. l. 2). Get married, sir, get married! 

[EXIT, d. l. 2. 

Mid. Get married! (Pause.) I will to-morrow! That is, 
if she'll have me ! 



ENTER Patrick, d. r. 3. 

Pat. I have every gun and pistol loaded ! I have given the 
Dago nearly a pint of whiskey to keep up his courage, and he's 
there ferninst the door with an ax in one hand and the carving- 
knife in the other. The cook's up in the second-story front win- 
dow, ready to pour hot water on the divils. And may the Lord 
have mercy on any man that comes within jabbing distance of 
this toaster! (Holds up a two-pronged garden fork.) 

Mid. Your precautions are all right, Pat, but I don't think 
they will be needed. The boys will make short work of these 
scoundrels. 

Pat. I'd like to have one dig at that black-hearted divil, 
Michael Hatfield ! You see, sir, when he shot the poor lady he 
turned and upset me, and I'll not rest easy till I give him one 
thump. (Going.) 

Mid. By the way, Pat, you have had a good deal of experience 
with the fair sex. Now tell me, how do you manage to approach 
them so easily? 

Pat. It's a way I have, sir. 

Mid. Yes, yes, I understand. But suppose you were going to 
propose to a lady, how would you manage it? 



52 Escaped from the Law. 

Pat. Well, sir, to my way of thinking, the quicker you take 
them the better they like it. (Going.) 

Mid. Oh, I see! 

Pat. If you give them time to think it over, they'll say no 
even if they mean yes ! The little divils is that contrary. 

[EXIT, D. R. 3. 

Mid. There's no doubt about it, Irishmen are great in love and 
war. 

ENTER Flora, d. l. 2. Sees Middleton. 

Flora. Pardon me, I thought Mr. Middleton was here. 

Mid. He is ! (Flora looks around l. Mwdleto>! approaches 
her, so that when she turns r. he is close to her.) Right here! 
(Flora retires, somewhat startled.) 

Flo. Good gracious, Mr. Middleton, you startled me ! Well, 
sir, what do you want me for? 

Mid. I don't want you ! 

Flo. Sir ! 

Mid. I mean I have always wanted you 

Flo. You have always wanted me! (Smiles.) 

Mid. Yes, I have always wanted you — to know that I have 
always been anxious to know — just what you know — about what 
I would like to know Now do you know? 

Flo. No ! 

Mid. Neither do I! (Aside.) Hang it all! I wish I had 
that Irishman's nerve ! 

Flo. Well, Mr. Middleton, what do you want to see me about? 
(Taps foot.) 

Mil). I don't quite understand you. 

Flo. General Burleigh said you wanted to see me ! 

Mid. The devil he did ! Ahem ! I should say 

Flo. I should say — you should say ! 

Mid. (aside). What did he do that for, I wonder? (To 
Flora.) Oh, yes ! I understand ! Purely a matter of business ! 

Flo. a matter of business ! 

Mid. General Burleigh is a splendid fellow. 

Flo. The dearest fellow in all the world. 

Mid. The very dearest? (Jealous.) 

Flo. Yes, I may say the very dearest — for his age. 

Mid. Oh! (Relieved.) 

Flo. I love him dearly ! 

Mid. (jealous). You do? 

Flo. As a father. 

Mid. Oh ! (Relieved.) 

Flo. Yes ! 



Escaped from the Law. 53 

Mid. He has been good enough to offer me a partnership 
which I can accept if 

Flo. If 

Mid. If it is agreeable to you ! 

Flo. The General mentioned the matter, and I told him to do 
as he thought best. 

Mid. And you approve of the idea? 

Flo. Well, yes — I may say — I think it is a very good idea! 
If_er 

Mid. If 

Flo. That is, under the circumstances! 

Mid. And you think I ought to accept? 

Flo. Yes, I think you ought to accept ! 

Mid. a partnership would mean quite a large income ! 

Flo. Quite large. 

Mid. Do you think a man could safely marry on such an in- 
come ? 

Flo. He'd be a fool if he didn't! (Pause.) I mean— that 
my advice — would be to marry — if he could find a suitable wife! 

Mid. I have found such a lady ! Pretty, amiable — in fact, 
perfection ! 

Flo. Why, Mr. Middleton ! 

Mid. But she might refuse me ! 

Flo. She'd be a fool if she did ! (Look at each other.) That 
is — simply my opinion. 

Mid. Mrs. Dalroy — Flora — you know who I mean ! 

Flo. (turns azvay and nods her head in the affirmative. Aside.) 
He can't escape this time ! 

Mid. (puts arm around her waist). Flora, I must tell you! 
I can't help it ! 

Flo. I am glad you can't help it, John! You ought not to 
have been able to help it six months ago. 

Mid. You do love me, then? 

Flo. (turns to him). Why, you big goose, I almost proposed 
to you twice ! 

Mid. You had so much money ! 

Flo. And you so little courage! 

Mid. I thought you would marry nothing less than a Duke! 

Flo. Nor will I. 

Mid. What do you mean? 

Flo. I mean that a good, honest American gentleman is better 
than a broken-down Duke by a large majority. 

Mid. I am afraid j'ou are somewhat singular in your ideas ! 

Flo. Maybe I am, but what does it matter, John, so long as 
you're happy? 



54 Escaped from the Law* 

Mid. Happy ! Great Scott ! I feel as if I owned the United 
States Treasury, and had a mortgage on the Bank of England ! 
{Pause.) And could draw on sight ! {Kisses her. ) 

ENTER General, d. l. 3, and Kitty, c. d. 

Kitty. Pardon ! I did not know ! [EXIT quickly, c. d. 

Gen. Well, well! Partners for life, eh? 

Mid. Yes, sir; and the junior partnership settled it. 

Gen. My boy, you deserve them. Accept my hearty con- 
gratulations, both of you. 

Flo. {to General). It is all your fault, sir. You are a 
wicked, designing old matchmaker. [EXIT d. l. 2. 

Gen. This is a courtship under difficulties with a vengeance. 
Hadn't we better reconnoitre and find out what the enemy is do- 
ing? 

Mid. The men will be here without delay. Their orders were 
to advance quietly and surprise the rioters. 

Gen. Come along, then. I am anxious to see the issue. 

[EXIT, d. r. 3. Middleton follows. Kitty peeps in 
cautiously. 

Kitty. I am so glad, a wedding in the house at last ! They 
say Monsieur Middleton is very clever, very smart, but he is 
slow. He cannot make love, not like my Patsy Brannigan. He 
make love the first time we meet and the last time we meet. Ah 
me ! I had a horrible dream last night ! 

ENTER Patrick, d. r. 3. 

I dreamed I saw my poor Patsy stretched out on the ground 
dying. 

Pat. {aside). Well, if he is, he don't know it! 

Kit. The dew of death lay cold upon his brow ! 

Pat. {aside). Don't! You make the cold chills run up and 
down my spoonal column. 

Kit. And his poor cold lips seemed to say 

Pat. {has approached, nozv puts arm around her waist). The 
divil a drop of whiskey have I tasted for the last four and twenty 
blessed hours ! 

Kit. Oh, Brannigan, dear Brannigan. {Pinches him all over.) 

Pat. Don't ! Ye tickle me ! 

Kit. Oh, I am so glad you're not dead ! 

Pat. I'm with you. I never saw the Brannigan yet that 
wanted to die. 

Kit. {in his arms). Oh, Patsy, take me away from this hor- 



Escaped from the Law* 55 

rible place to your own beloved country ! Take me to your 
palace in Tipperary, where the perfumed air steals through the 
mist of alabaster lamps, and the night is heavy with the sighs 
of the orange groves ! 

Pat. (aside). She's a little mixed. (To Kitty^ as he puts 
arm around her waist and zvalks tozvard L.) Yes, that's very 
nice, an' when ye're tired of all that we will wander by the glue 
factory, where the highly perfumed air steals the championship 
away from the limburger. And if we can't find one of them 
blasted lamps we'll take a tally candle, and make the night heavy 
with the size (business) of the potatoes and the per cabbages 
and the per turnips. [EXEUNT, r. i. 



ENTER General, d. r. 3, and the Doctor, d. l. 3, 

Gen. How is she? 

Doc. She sleeps, but may wake at any moment and in her 
right mind. The shock was a severe one. but I assure you she 
will be completely restored. 

Gen. Thank God for that ! To what misery and suffering 
has she not been condemned? In her hasty flight she took noth- 
ing with her but a few articles of clothing and a small sum of 
money. Alas ! my friend, it comes back to me with fearful 
force that had I loved her truly I could not have sent her away. 
But I will atone for my injustice; henceforth her life, as far as 
I can make it, shall be as bright and peaceful as hitherto it has 
been dark and stormy ! 

Doc. A noble resolve, my friend. You will excuse me a 
moment. [EXIT, d. l. 3. 

Gen. Yes, I am right, I know it. In a moment of frenzy, 
urged beyond human endurance, she allowed a fiend in human 
shape to take his own life. But has she not saved mine at the 
risk of her own? Oh, Thou who shalt judge us, not by one act 
alone but by the deeds of all our lives, surely she has atoned to 
the uttermost for her sin. Yes, I have done right. The world 
shall never know who she is, or what lies buried in her past. 
Beauplan is dead and cannot betray her secret, even if he would. 
Those who once knew her believe her dead. Forgotten by all, 
she too will learn to forget the past and all its sorrows. (Nan- 
ette ENTERS L. 2. Before her entrance and until the end of 
the act soft strains of song, "Our Last Walts.") Nanette! 

Nan. (startled). Robert! I did not know you were here. I 
will go ! Forgive me for staying, but I have been ill, it seems, 
and am still very weak. 



56 Escaped from the Law* 

Gen. Why should you leave us, Nanette? Is not this your 
home, my wife? 

Nan. Your wife ! Do not mock me ! You have no wife 
now ! 

Gen. (takes her hand). Sit down; you are not strong enough 
to stand. I have much to say to you. (Nanette sits.) Per- 
haps my unkindness in the past has killed the love you once 
bore me ! 

Nan. (aside). Once! 

Gen. Would to God the memory of the past could be forever 
obliterated ! It was cruel of me ! 

Nan. It stood between us then. It stands between us now. 

Gen. You were a child — you did not know ! 

Nan. (rising). Why do you torture me? Let me go! You 
yourself have said it — we two must live our lives apart ! 

Gen. Forgive me! I was blind; it was my pride, and not my 
love, that spoke. Remain with me, my wife. I bid you stay ! 

Nan. Do you know what all this means? What all this 
means to me? I who have never ceased loving you! Though 
your coldness pierced my heart like a knife and almost killed me 
my soul could not forget you. God pity me, I love you still ! 

Gen. You — love me still ? 

Nan. And loving you thus, think you that I could remain 
to make your life a misery and a curse? In the years that have 
gone forever you gave me love. That love is now another's. 
Take her to your arms, give her the love that once was mine. I 
do not want your pity ! 

Gen. You wrong me ! I have never loved Mrs. Dalroy. Be- 
sides, she is the promised wife of John Middleton ! 

Nan. The promised wife of John Middleton ! You don't love 
her? Can this be true? (Sinks on sofa.) 

Gen. True as that I once was cold and hard, and refused to 
forgive you ; true as that before God and man I swore to love, 
honor and protect you, but, like a coward, forgot my oath ; true as 
that my unkindness of the past shall be atoned for, that you are 
my wife and that I love you ! 

[During this speech Nanette rises trembling, and at 
the end takes one step u, theft turns to him and he 
embraces her. 

Nan. Robert, you forget. Beauplan — he will betray me ! 

Gen. He could not if he would ! 

Nan. What do you mean? 

Gen. He died three months ago in Africa of swamp fever, a 
martyr to the cause of science. (Noise outside, loud hurrahs. 



Escaped from the Law. 57 

Places Nanette on sofa). Ah! the men have arrived and the 
rioters are flying before them! (At window.) 

ENTER Flora, d. l. 

Flo. General Burleigh, where are you? It's all over! They 
did not wait to be asked, but took to their heels without striking 
a blow ! 

Gen. I knew the boys would stand by me. They have known 
me too long to see me wronged! But come! (Leads her 
toward Nanette.) Nanette, Flora is here. 

Flo. Nanette! (Kneels by her side.) You are better. I am 
so glad ! 

[Kisses her. General smiles, looking at them, and 
EXITS D. R. 3. 

Nan. Flora, dear, how greatly I have wronged you. Can 
you forgive me? 

Flo. Do not speak of it ! Had I been in your place I might 
have made the same mistake ! 

Nan. I have been very, very foolish ! 

Flo. Not a bit of it ! It was all my fault ! I should not 
have come here so often ! But then, you see — well, the fact is 

Nan. I have heard all about it. Mr. Middleton had already 
captured your heart, though you did not know it ! 

Flo. I am afraid he had ! 

ENTER General and Middleton, d. r. 3. 

Gen. Well, I don't think we will have any more trouble ! 

Mid. If we can only get that scamp Hatfield safe under lock 
and key, that would end the whole matter. 

[Pistol shot is heard. Middleton EXITS d. r. 3. Nan- 
ette starts nfj trembling. 

Nan. Robert! (General takes her in his arms.) 

Gen. Do not be alarmed. No harm shall come to you. 
(Flora about to go u.) I would not go if I were you. Mid- 
dleton will soon return! (ENTER Patrick hurriedly, D. R. 3.) 
Well, Brannigan, what's the trouble about? 

Pat. Officer Bentley was about to arrest that scalawag Hat- 
field for attempted murder, when what does he do but draw a 
knife and try to stab him. In a twinkling Bentley draws his gun, 
and down goes Mr. Michael Hatfield ! 

Gen. Killed? 

Pat. Faith, and I couldn't tell you, sir, for I came right 
straight here.' 



58 Escz^jcd from the Law. 

ENTER MiDDLETON and Officer, supporting Hatfield. 

Hat. (breaks from them). Leave me alone, I say. I can 
stand, never fear. What I've got to say, I'll say ! 

Gen. Why did you allow this man to come here? 

Mid. He said he had important information for you, General. 

Hat. Ay, for you, and for all here. It's my last chance to 
get even with you — and I'll do it — if — it takes — my — last breath. 

Gen. I'll not hear a word ! Officer, take him away ! 

Hat. (rushes toward General and they restrain him.) No, 
let me speak ! I will speak ! He's afraid of me — afraid that I 
— that (Falls. Doctor kneels beside him.) 

Doc. He is dying. 

Hat. (struggles to his elboiv). Dying? No, no — not yet — not 
until — I drag him down — and pay back — blow — for — blow ! 
Listen all. (Points to Nanette). There stands the woman who 

was accused of — accused of (Struggles.) I can't breathe — 

air — give me (Falls and dies, up c.) 

Doc. He is dead ! 

Nan. Dead ! May God have mercy on his guilty soul ! 



CURTAIN. 



STRIFE. 



A COMEDY-DRAMA IN FOUR ACTS, Br HORACE DALE. 
PRICE, 15 CENTS. 

Nine male, four female characters: Juvenile lead, eccentric character, genteel 
heavy, two walking gentlemen, Dutch character, two negro comedians, policeman, 
leading lady, walking lady, soubrette and utility. Time of playing, two hours «nd a 
quarter. A play for the masses — quick in action, rich in incident, full of laughable 
situations, abounding in farcical "business," with intensely dramatic climaxes. It can 
be played in any hall, and meets with the greatest success wherever produced. 
SYNOPSIS OF INCIDENTS. 

Act I. Reception Room in Judge Buttons' Mansion. — An eavesdropper. — 
The Judge in a tantrum. — Guardian and ward. — "A frog he would a-wooing go." — 
The cause of humanity. — A timely warning — "Go; and don't enter my house again 
unless I send for you ! " — Echoes of the past. — A gentleman of leisure. — Mistaken 
identity. — Recognition. — An insult and a blow. — Threatened exposure. — Brought to 
bay. — A murderous assault. — A son's defence. — Humiliation.- — Tableau. 

Act. II. Julius Goes " a-spaukin'." — Love at first sight. — Raising the wind. — 
Gentleman and workingman. — Rejected aid. — " Strike ! " — An excited visitor. — Wel- 
come tidings. — Mother and son.^ — A villain's resolve. — Hans von Sandt in the clutches 
of the law. — Neb in luck. — The mob's assault. — The mechanic's impassioned appeal. — 
Conflagration. — " Back, every man of you ! " — Tableau. 

Act III — The Judge's Reception Roo.m. — An embarrassing situation. — The 
mechanic is sent for. — Good intentions and an offered reward. — The workingman's 
ultimatum. — Reinstatement. ^A question of duty. — An interruption. — A cowardly 
scheme. — Strange revelations. — The serpent's sting. — An interesting episode. — "Hail 
fellows, well met." — A slight unpleasantness in which Germany goes to the wall. — 
Tableau. 

Act IV. Scene as before. — War declared against Hans. — A false attack. — 
Consternation. — The Judge secures his assailant. — Alienation. — A noble woman's de- 
fiance. — Indignation. — Accused of crime. — Impending disgrace. — A mother's inter- 
vention. — Villainy unmasked. — Foiled ! — A great wrong righted. — " Nothing but sun- 
shine." — Tableau. 

CRAWFORD'S CLAIM; 

OR, NUGGET NELL, THE PET OF POKER FLAT. 

A DRAMA IN PROLOGUE AND THREE ACTS, BY E. J. COWLEY AND 

W. T. BENNETTE. 

PRICE, 15 CENTS. 



Nine male, three female characters : Heroic leading man, dialect heavy, Irish 
comedy, eccentric old man, character juvenile, Chinese comedy, light comedy, 
character old man, responsible utility, soubrette, walking lady, and character lady. 
Time of playing, two hours and a quarter. The action is brisk, the language terse, the 
climaxes thrilling. Humor, pathos, sentiment, and wit are most ingeniously interwoven, 
while the surprising development of the plot rivets the interest of the spectators 
from beginning to end. 

SYNOPSIS OF INCIDENTS. 

Prologue. — The convict's return. — The story of the past. — A cool proposition. — 
Mike Moore's tribulations. — "All on account of an advertisement." — The meeting of 
friends. — Attorney and client.- — A snug little boodle. — Baffled ! 

Act I. The " Pilgrim's Rest." — A giddy Celestial. — A chap in store clothes. — 
The pet of Poker Flat. — How the " Extra " beat the record from Blazes Bar. — A rat 
in the soup. — The greaser's little scheme. — The Arkansaw hand. — Tableau. 

Act II. At Poker Flat. — Joe Bowers to the rescue. — Ling Ling on his muscle. — 
.\ search for an heiress. — "Your little game is busted." — A startling discovery. — A 
Napoleon of finance. — Left in trust. — The greaser's revenge. -Tableau. 

Act III. Joe's Home in Denver. — " Begorra here's a transformation for ye ! " — 
Abigail puts on her war paint. — Ling in hot water. — Jack Davis's account of himself. — 
■' Great Scott, but I'm just dyin' to sot eyes on that ar gal ! " — The deacon's retreat. — 
Nell's secret. — "I have come back to claim the woman I love ! " — A visitor is announced. 
— Turning the tables. — The deacon drives some nails and Bill Mulligan clinches them. 
— At the end of his rope. — Tableau. 



^P^ Copies mailed, postpaid, to any address, on receipt of the annexed prices, .^^pf 

Dick & Fitzgerald, Publishers, 18 Ann Street, New York 



SHE WOULD BE A WIDOW; 

OR, BUTTERNUT'S BRIDE. 

An Original Farce-Comedy in Tliree Acts, for Laugliing Purposes Oniy, 
By LEVIN C. TEES. 

PRICE. . . . . .25 CENTA. 



Eleven male, six female characters (by doubling, the piece can be played by 
seven gentlemen and four ladies). The leading male parts offer great opportunities 
for two comedians ; tho remaining male characters will yield barrels of^fun. All of 
the female parts arc first rate and nnne of them difflcuU to play. As played by 
Matthews & BULfiKB, under the name of " At Uay Coney Island," this play has won 
applause everywhere from packed houses. It Is a laugh-producer all around. 

CAST OF CHARACTERS. 
BENJAMIN BUTTEFtNU 1, an unworthy plumber, who weds a young lady and 

contracts to make her a widow in two weeks, but doesn't live up to his 

agreement Low Comedt 

Dr. FELIX SYRUP, who brings about Butternut's matrimonial adventure, and 

afterward devotes his energies to sever the bonds Lioht Cohedt 

TJNCLE ABKL SYRUP, who resoits to an Innocent stratagem which falls to 

pan out well , Straight Old Mam 

WILLIE QOODFELLOW, with a pet scheme for getting rid of objectionable 

husbands JtrvBNiLE Gentleman 

GOPHIR BILL, a noted burglar whom the plumber attempts to teach the 

DEPUTY sheriff' POUNCE,' who meets' 'first a cord i'ai 'and 'then "a 'very warm 

reception Utility Man 

undertaker SCREWEMDOWN, who comes to grief In trying to bury a live 

subject Character Bit 

HIRAM JONES, aland speculator , UTiLnr'MAN 

FIRST KEEPER TJtiuty Man 

SECOND KEEPER UTILITY MAN 

REPRESENTATIVE GRABALL, a useful member of the Legislature, with an 

eve to spoils Character Bit 

SIX MEMBERS OP THE LEGISLATURE SurBRNUMERARIKS 

GEORGIE FANSHAW, afterward Mrs Benjamin Butternut, a younf? lady with 

a fad for becoming a widow without losing a husband... Leading Comkdy Lady 

NAOMI ROSEBUD, who knows what fun *' we widows have" Inoknuk 

DAISY CARROTS, with a penchant for mixing up things generally, RouoH Soubrettk 

Mrs. LYDIA BROCK, who linds her well-intended efforts unappreciated 

Comic Old Woman 

BIDDY MULHOOLEy, an excited matron from the Emerald Isle Character Bit 

NANETTE FANCHETTE, In search of her truant husband... Character Bit 

Ton, the present. Locality, Acts I. and II. In New York City: Act III. at Dover, 
Delaware. Time of Ri!:pkesentation, 2J^ hours. 

SYNOPSIS OF INCIDENTS. 

ACT I.— Dr. Syrup's offlce— An M. D. in the durnps— " When are you going to pay 
me my wages, sa-ay ?''— Making 'em feel at home — Poor Willie— Striking a bargain- 
Uncle Abel's scheme— Daisy In a scrape— An unprincipled plumber with a classical 
countenance— A deputy sheriff taking stock on the quiet. Throwing out the wrong 
man— Fifty dollars for a husband— Preparations for the wedding, and arrangements 
for a first class funeral—" Doctor, the bath-tub is busted amd the house is afloat ! " 

ACT n.— The home of Butternut's bride In Madison avenue— Not such a soft 
snap after all— " When I win my wife's affections, I'll raise your wages"— Willie 
floored and the ladies have a little set-to— Old acquaintances hatch a nice little plot— 
The doctor and the undertaker disappear through the window, and the plumber 
assumes control of the e.stalilishment. The greatest scheme of all— A burglar goes a 
burgling. Making mincemeat of the whole caboodle of them— Another surprise for 
old Butternut— Uncle Abel Is mistaken for a lunatic and run off to the asylum, and 
Oophlr Bill takes the last trick. 

ACT III.— Hotel parlor at Dover— Uncle Abel, bent on vengeance, sets a trap 
for the plumber— Mrs. Syrup cultivates the manly art and comes down to Delaware 
with blood In her eye— Butternut on a bicycle— "She bought you for a job lot and 
got stuck "— " Fixing" the Legisliiture— "Telling her all "-Willie's Infernal machine 
—Making a will In a hurry— Mrs. Syrup gives up boxing lessons, and the doctor gets 
anotherchance In business— The Infernal machine knocks out the Legislature-*' Ton 
drunken Idiots, this aint the railroad bill ! "-Butternut on the matrimonial market 
again- Finale. 

C^ Copies will be mailed, postpaid, to any address, on receipt of the price. 

DICK & FITZGERALD, Publishers, i8 Ann St., New York. 



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/i\ 214; hours ... 10 . 

/J\ REGULAR FLIRT, A. Up to-date comedy, especially recommended to 

/ft those who have produced the author's "Just for Fun " ; 3 acts ; 2 hours... 4 . 

jft SEVEN-TWENTY-EIGHT. By Augustin Daly. There have been several 
^ft imitations of this comedy, but none of them approaches tiie original ; 

2; 4 acts ; 2 J^ hours 7 . 

/A SHAUN AROON. Stirring drama of home life in Ireland ; a simple real pic- 

i^ ture of country life in the Emerald Isle ; 3 acts ; 2 hours 7 

i?ft SQUIRE TOMPKINS' DAUGHTER. Strong comedy drama; 5 acts; 

/ft 2 54 hours 5 

^ft STEEL KING, THE. Comedy drama with brisk action; depicts the strug- 

J}J gle between labor and capital ; 4 acts ; 2U hours 3 

/i\ WHAT'S NEXT? Farce comedy: 3 acts; plays 130 minutes; raises 150 

/i\ laughs 7 . 

/ft WHITE LIE, A. Comedy drama; abounds in laughable comedy features 

/ft and strong situations of serious interest ; 4 acts ; 2 J-2 hours 4 

/ft 

<ft 

<jS DICK & FITZGERALD, Publishers, 18 Ann St., N. Y 



